Survey One in three would forward health data to the health insurance fund

Every third German would forward health data to the cash register
Counting Steps, Measuring Pulses, Checking Calorie Consumption: More and more people are using health and fitness apps. The benefits are often contentious. According to a survey, about one in three smartphone users can present data on their fitness, diet or lifestyle to their health insurance company.

More and more people are using fitness and health apps
Around 55,000 medical apps and around 87,000 fitness wellness products are now available on the market. More and more people are using the programs. Health and fitness apps measure heart rate and metabolism, serving as a blood pressure monitor, pain diary, pills alarm clock or nutrition guide. There are also kidney function calculators, apps for patients with Parkinson's, diabetes, asthma or people with sleep problems. The utility of some programs is controversial, but many bring many benefits.

Forward health data to the health insurance fund
According to a survey, "more than one in three smartphone users can present data on their fitness, diet or lifestyle to their health insurance". As the survey of the industry association Bitkom revealed, only one in five respondents would like to have something in return, such as a discount on the insurance amount or a premium. Bitkom Chief Executive Bernhard Rohleder explained that data collected via the app, such as steps taken, results of a visual or hearing test, or photos of skin changes, could help "inform and advise patients individually and provide them with better medical care.".

Seniors more willing to share data
Of course, data security and data protection must come first. It was found that most smartphone users (63 percent) can not imagine because of privacy concerns, pass on health data to their coffers. However, the older the users are, the lower the resistance: almost one in two (47 percent) of people over the age of 65 say they can imagine the transfer of sensitive data. According to the information, even in this age group there were as many as 33 percent of respondents who do not expect anything in return from their health insurance. For the representative survey, Bitkom asked 1,279 people, ages 14 and up, to interview. (Ad)

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Picture: Ute Mulder / pixelio.de