Ob/gyn stat bite: Personal health indicators

A look at the methods Americans use to keep track of how they keep healthy.

 

Nearly two-thirds of US adults keep track of at least one personal health indicator, such as weight, diet, exercise, or a symptom, according to a national telephone survey of 3,014 adults by Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. Most (49%) monitor progress “in their heads” but 34% track health data on paper and 21% use an electronic method.

Only about one-third of trackers share their data with anyone and of them, only half do so with a clinician.