Wearable fitness tracker use in federally qualified health center patients: strategies to improve the health of all of us using digital health devices

Abstract

As the use of connected devices rises, an understanding of how digital health technologies can be used for equitable healthcare across diverse communities is needed. We surveyed 1007 adult patients at six Federally Qualified Health Centers regarding wearable fitness trackers. Findings indicate the majority interest in having fitness trackers. Barriers included cost and lack of information, revealing that broad digital health device adoption requires education, investment, and high-touch methods.

Fig. 1. All of Us Fitness Tracker Survey demographics.

Tables show the race/ethnicity, education, age, and sex/gender characteristics of the survey respondents. Pie charts compare the education levels and race/ethnicity of the survey respondents to All of Us Research Program participants. Some All of Us participants are FQHC patients and may have taken part in this survey, but not all survey respondents are enrolled in All of Us.

Fig. 2. Fitness tracker survey results.

Participants were asked a variety of questions centered around their exposure to, ownership of, interest in, and familiarity with fitness trackers. The top two pie charts illustrate participants’ ownership and interest in fitness trackers. Participants were also asked what kinds of things get in the way of owning a fitness tracker. Those items were distilled and are listed under “Hindering factors.” Respondents were also asked about factors that they may consider helpful in reducing barriers to using a fitness tracker, combined under “Helping factors” as recommendations for potential methods to mitigate disparities in digital health technology use.