Across Generations, Americans Embrace Wearables to Boost Healthy Habits

While confidence in preventing chronic disease remains low among U.S. adults, new data from Abbott suggests wearables are influencing healthier behaviors across generations

The proliferation of wearables is undeniable, leaving a notable impact on Americans’ health habits in the process, according to new findings from Abbott.

In a survey taken in January and February of 4,000 U.S. adults, more and more Americans are embracing health trackers, Abbott found.

Gen Z and Millennials unsurprisingly had the highest percentage of those wearing devices — like the Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, Oura Ring, Whoop, continuous glucose monitors and the many other trackers on the market — each cohort with 69% reporting they used a tracker in the last 12 months.

The majority of Gen X and Baby Boomers appear to be embracing the technology as well, with 53% and 52% reporting use in the past year, respectively.

Abbott also prompted the participants to assess their personal health, revealing some conflicting results and concerns across generations.

While the majority of Gen Z (63%) said they considered themselves healthy, the majority still felt there was more to be done, with only 47% answering they’re “doing everything they can” to boost health.

Millennials answered nearly exactly the same, with 65% considering themselves healthy, but only 42% saying they’re doing everything they can to be healthy. They also appeared to be the most worried generation, with half admitting they fear developing chronic disease if they haven’t already.

Half of Gen X and just 43% of Baby Boomers claimed they felt healthy, while 72% of Gen X and 73% of Baby Boomers believed they could be doing more.

In general, Americans appear to be highly concerned about chronic disease — and paralyzed about what to do. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults believe most chronic diseases, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, are preventable, but just 1 in 4 feel very confident in looking after their health to prevent such diseases from developing.

Wearables could be the tool to help flip that narrative, with all generations indicating that access to such data and features is a major driver in encouraging healthy habits.

Nearly all of Gen Z (93%) claimed that using a health tracker helped to make lasting changes to their health, with Millennials reporting similarly at 89%.

Gen X and Baby Boomers are also noting the positive influence of wearable tech, with 76% and 66%, respectively, asserting using a tracker helped their healthy habits.

“Healthy living shouldn’t feel like a full-time job,” said Abbott Nutrition Medical Director Dr. Dominique Williams. “The data shows people are overwhelmed and unsure how to act, but the good news is the basics still work. Simple, consistent habits around movement, nutrition and preventive care can make a difference.”