Boomers Turn to Digital Health

How COVID-19 Changed Their Attitudes and Behaviors

Report by Lisa Phillips  | Mar 22, 2022
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Key Points
Baby Boomers in 2022
COVID Changed Boomers’ Digital (Health) Habits
How to Reach US Boomers Where They Are
Insider Intelligence Interviews
Read Next
Sources
Media Gallery
About This Report
The “never growing old” generation now faces retirement, a host of chronic health conditions, and mortality. The pandemic sparked a major shift toward digital channels to find health information, assess providers, and research Medicare plans and options.
Topics
Baby Boomers
Health
Digital Health
United States
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Key Points
Baby Boomers in 2022
COVID Changed Boomers’ Digital (Health) Habits
How to Reach US Boomers Where They Are
Insider Intelligence Interviews
Read Next
Sources
Media Gallery

Executive Summary

The 70 million baby boomers are more digitally savvy than ever, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. They still trust their doctors but are also researching and rating providers. They’ll use digital health tools if the benefits are clear.

3 KEY QUESTIONS THIS REPORT WILL ANSWER 

  1. How did the coronavirus pandemic affect baby boomers?
  2. What digital habits changed among boomers due to the pandemic?
  3. How can insurers, providers and marketers meet baby boomers where they are?

WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT? How boomers have shifted their digital health behaviors and how healthcare providers, insurers, and marketers need to adjust their approach to boomers now that they use more digital technology than ever.

US Baby Boomer Users of Digital Consumer Technologies, 2022-2026 (millions)
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KEY STAT: Wearable devices will see higher uptake as boomers and providers aim for longer health spans and independence while aging at home.

Here’s what’s in the full report

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4expert perspectives

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    Table of Contents

    1. Executive Summary
    2. Key Points
    3. Baby Boomers in 2022
    1. COVID Changed Boomers’ Digital (Health) Habits
    2. How to Reach US Boomers Where They Are
    3. Insider Intelligence Interviews
    1. Read Next
    2. Sources
    3. Media Gallery

    Charts in This Report

    US Baby Boomer Users of Digital Consumer Technologies, 2022-2026 (millions)Demographic Profile of US Baby Boomer* Adults, 2021 (millions and % of total in each group)
    How Much Have US Adults Been Able to Mentally Recover From Their Experience During the Coronavirus Pandemic? (% of respondents, by generation, April 2021)Type of Health Insurance that US Adults Have, by Demographic, April 2021 (% of respondents in each group)
    Factors that Are Driving US Adults* to Change Their Health Insurance, by Age, Oct 2021 (% of respondents in each group)Resources US Seniors* Use to Understand Their Medicare Options, Sep 2021 (% of respondents)
    Which Technology Products Did US Adults Ages 50+ Purchase in the Past Year? (% of respondents, by age, 2019-2021)Coronavirus Impact: Share of US Adults Who Engage in Select Digital Health Activities More Frequently*, by Age, June 2021 (% of respondents in each group)
    Methods US Telehealth Users Have Used to Conduct a Scheduled Medical Visits Virtually, by Method Type and Generation, Oct 2021 (% of respondents in each group)Smartphone Activities Conducted by US Smartphone Users Ages 50+, Oct 2021 (% of respondents)
    Coronavirus Impact: US Adults Who Engage with Mobile Apps More Frequently* to Manage Their Health, by Age, June 2021 (% of respondents in each group)Types of Health Apps Used by Older* US Health App Users, Aug 2021 (% of respondents)
    US Adults Who Have Used Technology* to Remotely Track Their Health, by Demographic, Sep 2021 (% of respondents in each group)US Adults Who Engage with Select Types of Remote Patient Monitoring Devices More Frequently*, by Age, June 2021 (% of respondents in each group)
    US Adults Who Would Try a Hands-Free Voice Assistant* to Help Them Manage a Medical Condition, by Age, June 2021 (% of respondents in each group)Which Technologies Are US Adults Ages 50+ Interested in Taking Advantage of Now or When They Become Available? (% of respondents, Oct 2021)

    Interviewed for This Report

    Kathrin Boerner, PhD
    McCormack Graduate School University of Massachusetts Boston
    Professor and Doctoral Program Director, Department of Gerontology
    Interviewed January 28, 2022
    Sam Meers
    Barkley
    Executive Vice President, Healthcare and Finance Practice
    Interviewed January 20, 2022
    Lindsay Resnick
    Wunderman Thompson Health
    Executive Vice President
    Interviewed January 20, 2022
    John Selby
    Independent Consultant
    Interviewed January 21, 2022

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    authors

    Lisa Phillips

    Contributors

    Jeane Han
    Senior Researcher
    Rajiv Leventhal
    Analyst, Digital Health