The U.S. government’s recent EMR (electronic medical records) incentive will trickle down to benefit personal health record (PHR) providers over the next few years, raising awareness among consumers and pushing total number of PHR users over 100 million by 2014, according to Electronic Health Records: Information Center of Connected Care.

This new industry report from international research firm Parks Associates notes that the $19 billion financial incentive from the U.S. federal government designed to promote EMR adoption includes a “meaningful use” requirement. PHR, though not fully spelled out, is implied in one of the requirements.

Parks Associates defines PHRs as software and applications designed to enable consumers to access and store personal health and wellness information for self-care or for sharing with doctors or designated recipients.

Electronic Health Records: Information Center of Connected Care analyzes adoption of EMR and PHR among providers and consumers and offers insights on usage models, government incentives, pilot programs, and technology trends.