Pew Research Center

FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

What’s the future for self-tracking?

Susannah Fox will be the opening keynote speaker at a symposium on self-tracking in health.

BY Susannah Fox

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Pew Research Center, September 2012, "What’s the future for self-tracking?"

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Table of contents

  • About Pew Research Center

What’s the future for self-tracking?

Susannah Fox will be the opening keynote speaker at a symposium on self-tracking in health.

Pew Internet’s research shows that the mobile, social revolution is changing people’s relationship with health information, including their personal health metrics.

Our September 2010 survey found that 27% of internet users age 18 and older track their own health data online:

  • 15% of internet users have tracked their weight, diet, or exercise routine online.
  • 17% of internet users have tracked any other health indicators or symptoms online.

Our August 2011 survey found that 11% of all adult cell phone users have downloaded an app that helps them manage their health.

Susannah Fox will discuss the Project’s latest survey results and what the future might hold at the Medicine X symposium on self-tracking.