New digital health research from Parks Associates announced this week reveals that 5% of U.S. broadband households report using a smart watch with health and fitness tracking functions, and just 8% of U.S. households use a digital pedometer or fitness/activity tracker.

Though adoption for smart watches is increasing, the low numbers should tell companies that education and differentiation are key. Commenting on the new data, Parks Associates mobile analyst Tejas Mehta said, "Companies need to rally consumer interest in smart watches by educating them on the unique experiences and benefits of these and other wearables. Otherwise, the majority of consumers may not see the reason to purchase another device that has similar, if not the same, capabilities as their smartphone."

Other Parks Associates wearable research shows:

• 7% of U.S. broadband households use a GPS watch to track a wearer’s location
• 5% of U.S. broadband households use a sports watch with a built-in heart-rate monitor
• By 2016, more than 32 million U.S. consumers will actively track their personal health and fitness online of via mobile devices
• By 2018, U.S. sales of connected wellness and personal health products and services will exceed $8 billion

Tejas Mehta will be attending the 2015 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain next week, March 2-5. To request a meeting or specific mobile or health research, contact Holly Sprague via email.

Further Reading:

• Connected Health Opportunities for Service Providers
• 360 View: Health Devices and Services for Connected Consumers
• Wearable Computing: Fitness and Health in Style