Parks Associates (http://www.parksassociates.com) says that, although a substantial number of consumers are starting to use digital tools to manage their health, they use them infrequently.

Twenty-eight percent of U.S. broadband households used digital communication tools—email, online portal, mobile phone and apps, and webcam—to communicate with their care providers in the past 12 months, but their average usage is only three times per year, says the research group.

"Thirteen percent of U.S. broadband households plan to purchase a connected health device in the next 12 months, but these people are largely self-motivated," says Harry Wang, director, Mobile Product and Health Research, Parks Associates. "Nearly 50% of current and future owners of digital wellness devices like pedometers and fitness trackers made or are planning the purchase because they want to live healthier. These consumers will drive the early market, but long term, the connected health industry needs to develop new strategies to engage larger populations of consumers."