It’s World Health Day today and in recognition of that fact, MEF (Mobile Ecosystem Forum) has published its mHealth and Wearables Report 2015, which analyses the usage trends and attitudes of 15,000 mobile consumers in 15 countries across five continents.

The report reveals that adoption of health and fitness apps globally has grown by more than a third year-on-year from 11 to 15 per cent, with consumers worldwide confirming that they use them on a regular basis. Similarly, the use of medical apps has grown by a fifth from 8 to 10 per cent. Women are the most enthusiastic users; they are 50 per cent more likely to use health and fitness apps than men, and a third more likely to use medical apps.

S. Africans are keenest on health and fitness apps (22 per cent vs the global average of 15 per cent), while Nigerian mobile media users are most likely to use medical apps (usage has more than doubled in a year from 7 to 17 per cent). More than half of mobile users use apps to relax or train their mind. A fifth use apps to help them manage their weight.

“mHealth and wearable devices represent a significant opportunity for growth and collaboration across sectors of the mobile ecosystem,” said MEF CEO, Rimma Perelmuter. New technologies and innovative apps are improving consumers’ lives, facilitating fitness and well-being whilst providing greater access to essential & state-of-the-art healthcare.”

You can download the full report here.