500m Using Mobile Health Apps by 2015

500m people will be using mobile health applications via smartphones in 2015, out of a total smartphone audience of 1.4bn smartphone owners at that point. So says the analyst, research2guidance, in a new study, Global Mobile Health Market Report 2010-2015.

While consumers are using smartphones to manage and improve their own health, the report reveals that a significant number (43 per cent) of mHealth applications are primarily designed for healthcare professionals. These include CME (Continued Medical Education), remote monitoring and health care management applications.

There are currently 17,000 mHealth applications in major app stores, 74 per cent of which are paid-for. With more and more traditional healthcare providers joining the mobile apps market, the business models will broaden to include healthcare services, sensor, advertising and drug sales revenues, the company believes. 

“With the growing sophistication level of mHealth applications, only 14 per cent of the total market revenue in the next five years will come from application download revenue” says Egle Mikalajunaite, senior research analyst at research2guidance. “76 per cent of total mHealth application market revenue will come from related services and products, such as sensors.”
The Global Mobile Health Market Report 2010-2015 is a business guide for traditional healthcare companies, and for mobile operators wishing to successfully engage with the mHealth market.
There’s more information about the report here.