Most UK adults track health themselves, yet unequal access could widen care gaps
Most people in the UK already monitor their own health and well-being, and an overwhelming majority would be happy to do more if advised by the NHS, according to a new University of Manchester–led study.
The study, led by the University of Manchester, reveals that the majority of UK adults (79%) already engage in self-monitoring of their health and well-being. This encompasses tracking various health parameters, including blood pressure, blood sugar, fitness, diet, eyesight, hearing, and mental well-being. The research, published in the journal Archives of Public Health, highlights the strong public support for embracing self-monitoring technologies in healthcare.
According to the findings, 86% of respondents would be willing to monitor at least one aspect of their health if advised by the NHS. Additionally, trust in the accuracy of self-monitoring tools was high, with 70% to 94% of participants expressing confidence in the results provided by these devices. Furthermore, 78% of individuals would be comfortable with their health monitoring results being automatically shared with their General Practitioner (GP).
The study also uncovered varying levels of use and willingness to self-monitor across different demographic groups. Younger adults and individuals with higher educational attainment were more likely to utilize self-monitoring. Conversely, men, older adults, those residing in deprived areas, and individuals with lower educational backgrounds were less inclined to adopt self-monitoring practices.
This disparity in uptake could potentially exacerbate existing health inequalities if self-monitoring becomes a more integral component of healthcare in the future.
While self-monitoring offers potential benefits such as increased awareness of one's health status, enhanced control over personal well-being, easier access to information, and more balanced discussions with healthcare professionals, concerns have been raised. These concerns include anxiety about testing, difficulties in interpreting results, a lack of motivation to maintain monitoring habits, and apprehensions regarding the technology itself.
Lead researcher Professor Kevin Munro emphasizes that self-monitoring is already a prevalent practice among many UK residents and possesses significant potential to facilitate earlier detection of health issues, promote preventive actions, and empower individuals to take charge of their health. However, he cautions that it is crucial to ensure equitable access to these technologies to prevent further widening of health disparities.
The study underscores the need for further research to determine how self-monitoring can be effectively and fairly integrated alongside traditional clinical care.
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