The Use of Digital Health Tools for Health Promotion Among Women With and Without Chronic Diseases: Insights From the 2017-2020 Health Information National Trends Survey
Open accessAbstract
Background: In the United States, almost 90% of women are at risk of at least one chronic condition. However, the awareness, management, and monitoring of these conditions are low and present a substantial public health problem. Digital health tools can be leveraged to reduce the alarmingly high rates of chronic condition–related mortality and morbidity in women. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the 4-year trend of digital health use for health promotion among women with chronic conditions in the United States. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the 2017 to 2020 iterations of the Health Information Trends Survey 5. Separate weighted logistic regression models were conducted to test the unadjusted and adjusted association of the study variables and each digital health use. The 95% CI, adjusted odds ratio (aOR), and P value (.05) were reported. Analysis was conducted using Stata 17 software. Results: In total, 8573 women were included in this study. The weighted prevalence of the use of a smartphone or tablet for various activities were as follows: track health goals, 50.3% (95% CI 48.4%-52.2%; 3279/7122); make a health decision, 43.6% (95% CI 41.9%-45.3%; 2998/7101); and discuss with a provider, 40% (95% CI 38.2%-41.8%; 2834/7099). In the preceding 12 months, 33% (95% CI 30.9%-35.2%; 1395/4826) of women used an electronic wearable device, 18.7% (95% CI 17.3%-20.2%; 1532/7653) shared health information, and 35.2% (95% CI 33.2%-37.3%; 2262/6349) sent or received an SMS text message with a health professional. Between 2017 and 2020, the weighted prevalence of having 0, 1, and multiple chronic conditions were 37.4% (2718/8564), 33.4% (2776/8564), and 29.3% (3070/8564), respectively. However, slightly above half (52.2%, 95% CI 0.50%-0.53%; 4756/8564) of US women reported having at least one chronic disease. Women with multiple chronic conditions had higher odds of using their tablet or smartphone to achieve a health-related goal (aOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.16-1.77; P=.001) and discuss with their provider (aOR 1.55 95% CI 1.20-2.00; P=.001) than those without any chronic conditions. Correspondingly, in the past 12 months, the odds of using an electronic wearable device (aOR 1.40, 95% CI 1.00-1.96; P=.04), sharing health information (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.46-2.51; P<.001), and communicating via SMS text messaging with a provider (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.02-1.68; P=.03) were significantly higher among women with chronic conditions than those without a chronic condition. Conclusions: This study suggests that women with chronic conditions accept and integrate digital health tools to manage their care. However, certain subpopulations experience a digital disconnect that may exacerbate existing health inequities. Implications for research and opportunities to leverage and integrate digital health tools to prevent, monitor, manage, and treat chronic conditions in women are discussed.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The little research available on digital technologies to self-manage chronic health conditions among women is primarily about pregnancy-related conditions or the perinatal period.
“the little research available is primarily about pregnancy-related conditions or the perinatal period [910]”
From Availability and Use of Digital Technology Among Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Scoping Review (2025) · cites this paper as [9]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Hamine, S., Gerth-Guyette, E., Faulx, D., Green, B. B., & Ginsburg, A. S. (2015) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.3951 · Cited by 1,149 · see citing works
Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions Among US Adults, 2018
Boersma, P., Black, L. I., & Ward, B. W. (2020) · Preventing Chronic Disease · doi:10.5888/pcd17.200130 · Cited by 702 · see citing works
Digital inclusion as a social determinant of health
Sieck, C. J., Sheon, A., Ancker, J. S., Castek, J., Callahan, B., & Siefer, A. (2021) · npj Digital Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41746-021-00413-8 · Cited by 597 · see citing works
Brown, H. L., Warner, J. J., Gianos, E., Gulati, M., Hill, A. J., Hollier, L. M., Rosen, S. E., Rosser, M. L., & Wenger, N. K. (2018) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/cir.0000000000000582 · Cited by 378 · see citing works
Digital health literacy as a super determinant of health: More than simply the sum of its parts
van Kessel, R., Wong, B. L. H., Clemens, T., & Brand, H. (2022) · Internet Interventions · doi:10.1016/j.invent.2022.100500 · Cited by 358 · see citing works
Fifteen-Year Trends in Awareness of Heart Disease in Women
Mosca, L. J., Hammond, G., Greenberger, H. M., Towfighi, A., & Albert, M. A. (2013) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/cir.0b013e318287cf2f · Cited by 357 · see citing works
Pregnancy and Reproductive Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Women
O’Kelly, A. C., Michos, E. D., SHUFELT, C. L., Vermunt, J. V., Minissian, M., Quesada, O., Smith, G. N., Rich-Edwards, J. W., Garovic, V. D., Khoudary, S. R. E., et al. (2022) · Circulation Research · doi:10.1161/circresaha.121.319895 · Cited by 344 · see citing works
Cushman, M., Shay, C. M., Howard, V. J., Jiménez, M. C., Lewey, J., McSweeney, J. C., Newby, L. K., Poudel, R., Reynolds, H. R., Rexrode, K. M., et al. (2020) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/cir.0000000000000907 · Cited by 263 · see citing works
Sociodemographic Factors Influencing the Use of eHealth in People with Chronic Diseases
Reiners, F., Sturm, J., Bouw, L. J. W., & Wouters, E. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16040645 · Cited by 258 · see citing works
Use of Mobile Health Applications for Health-Seeking Behavior Among US Adults
Bhuyan, S. S., Lu, N., Chandak, A., Kim, H., Wyant, D., Bhatt, J., Kedia, S., & Chang, C. F. (2016) · Journal of Medical Systems · doi:10.1007/s10916-016-0492-7 · Cited by 210 · see citing works
Telemedicine Technologies for Diabetes in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Ming, W.-K., Mackillop, L. H., Farmer, A. J., Loerup, L., Bartlett, K., Levy, J. C., Tarassenko, L., Velardo, C., Kenworthy, Y., & Hirst, J. E. (2016) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.6556 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
Mahmood, A., Kedia, S., Wyant, D. K., Ahn, S., & Bhuyan, S. S. (2019) · Digital Health · doi:10.1177/2055207619882181 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Cardiovascular Disease Screening in Women: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools
Adedinsewo, D. A., Pollak, A. W., Phillips, S. D., Smith, T. L., Svatikova, A., Hayes, S. N., Mulvagh, S. L., Norris, C., Roger, V. L., Noseworthy, P. A., et al. (2022) · Circulation Research · doi:10.1161/circresaha.121.319876 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Sedrak, M. S., Soto‐Pérez‐de‐Celis, E., Nelson, R. A., Liu, J., Waring, M. E., Lane, D. S., Paskett, E. D., & Chlebowski, R. T. (2020) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/15906 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Carral, F., Ayala, M. D. C., Alba, J. J. F., González, C., Zaldivar, A. P., García, G. E. Q., Cañavate, C., Jímenez, A. I., & García, C. (2015) · Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics · doi:10.1089/dia.2014.0223 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Greenberg, A. J., Falisi, A. L., Rutten, L. J. F., Chou, W. S., Patel, V., Moser, R. P., & Hesse, B. W. (2017) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.7417 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Mobile Health Solutions for Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: Scoping Literature Review
Rivera-Romero, O., Olmo, A., Múñoz‐Hernández, R., Stiefel, P., Miranda, M. L., & Beltrán, L. M. (2018) · JMIR mhealth and uhealth · doi:10.2196/mhealth.9671 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Onyeaka, H., Firth, J., Kessler, R. C., Lovell, K., & Torous, J. B. (2021) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114120 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Self-citationShan, R., Ding, J., Plante, T. B., & Martin, S. S. (2019) · Journal of the American Heart Association · doi:10.1161/jaha.119.014390 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Digital Self-Management in Support of Patients Living With Chronic Pain: Feasibility Pilot Study
Bostrøm, K., Børøsund, E., Varsi, C., Eide, H., Flakk Nordang, E., Schreurs, K. M., Waxenberg, L. B., Weiss, K. E., Morrison, E. J., Cvancarova Småstuen, M., et al. (2020) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/23893 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Wang, P., Abdin, E., Shafie, S., Chong, S. A., Vaingankar, J. A., & Subramaniam, M. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16132338 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Sherman, L. D., Patterson, M. S., Tomar, A., & Wigfall, L. T. (2020) · American Journal of Men s Health · doi:10.1177/1557988320901377 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Use of Mental Health Apps by Patients With Breast Cancer in the United States: Pilot Pre-Post Study
Chow, P. I., Showalter, S. L., Gerber, M. S., Kennedy, E. M., Brenin, D. R., Mohr, D. C., Lattie, E. G., Gupta, A., Ocker, G., & Cohn, W. F. (2020) · JMIR Cancer · doi:10.2196/16476 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Use of the Electronic Health Record to Assess Prevalence of Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy
Sharma, A. J., Ford, N. D., Bulkley, J. E., Jenkins, L. M., Vesco, K. K., & Williams, A. M. (2021) · Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1093/jn/nxab254 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Adler, G., Kaufman, G., & Simon‐Tuval, T. (2019) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216365 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Senteio, C. R., & Murdock, P. (2022) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/22124 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Disease and Unique Pregnancy-Associated Risk Factors in Women
O’Kelly, A. C., & Honigberg, M. C. (2020) · Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine · doi:10.1007/s11936-020-00860-8 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Addressing the Global Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Vervoort, D., Wang, R., Li, G., Filbey, L., Maduka, O., Brewer, L. C., Mamas, M. A., Bahit, M. C., Ahmed, S. B., & Spall, H. G. C. V. (2024) · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2024.04.028 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Mapping Factors That Affect the Uptake of Digital Therapeutics Within Health Systems: Scoping Review
van Kessel, R., Román-Urrestarazu, A., Anderson, M., Kyriopoulos, I., Field, S., Monti, G., Reed, S. D., Pavlova, M., Wharton, G., & Mossialos, E. A. (2023) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/48000 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Chandrasekaran, R., Muhammed Sadiq, T., & Moustakas, E. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/63879 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
do Nascimento, I. J. B., Abdulazeem, H. M., Weerasekara, I., Marquez, J. L., Vasanthan, L., Deeken, G., Morgan, R., Tan, H.-L., Aguirre, I. Y., Østengaard, L., et al. (2025) · The Lancet Digital Health · doi:10.1016/j.landig.2025.01.014 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Yang, S., Cha, M.-J., van Kessel, R., Warrier, G., Thrul, J., Lee, M., Yoon, J., Kang, D., & Cho, J. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/71349 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Leveraging Digital Health to Improve the Cardiovascular Health of Women
Azizi, Z., Adedinsewo, D. A., Rodríguez, F., Lewey, J., Merchant, R. M., & Brewer, L. C. (2023) · Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports · doi:10.1007/s12170-023-00728-z · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Qiu, Y., Huang, H., Gai, J., & Leo, G. D. (2024) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/65541 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Maternal Cardiovascular Health
Mehta, A., Spitz, J. A., Sharma, S., Bonomo, J., Brewer, L. C., Mehta, L. S., & Sharma, G. V. (2024) · Canadian Journal of Cardiology · doi:10.1016/j.cjca.2024.02.010 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Chen, Y., Kruahong, S., Elias, S. D., Turkson‐Ocran, R., Commodore-Mensah, Y. Y., Koirala, B., & Himmelfarb, C. D. (2023) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/47566 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Ajayi, K. V., Olowolaju, S. A., Bolarinwa, O. A., & Onyeka, H. (2023) · BMC Health Services Research · doi:10.1186/s12913-023-10112-7 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citationBobrova, P., Perego, P., & Boiano, R. (2024) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s24206582 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Wright, P. J., Burts, C., Harmon, C., & Corbett, C. F. (2025) · JMIR Infodemiology · doi:10.2196/68469 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Despite the prevalence of chronic health conditions among women across the lifespan, the little research available is primarily about pregnancy-related conditions or the perinatal period [9,10].”
Lang, A.-L., Bruhn, R.-L., Fehling, M., Heidenreich, A., Reisdorf, J., Khanyaree, I., Henningsen, M., & Remschmidt, C. (2024) · JMIR mhealth and uhealth · doi:10.2196/50135 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Arishi, A. A., Hakami, I. A., Mashbari, H. N. A., Hobani, A. H., Al-Musawa, H. I., Abuhadi, R. I., Maslouf, A. H., Matari, M. H., Albrahim, H. T., Algarni, M., et al. (2024) · Journal of Robotic Surgery · doi:10.1007/s11701-024-01892-z · Cited by 8 · see citing works
The opportunities and challenges of women's digital health: A research agenda
Figueroa, C. A., Sundqvist, J., Mathieu, S., Farrokhnia, N., Nevin, D., & Andersson, S. W. (2023) · Health Policy and Technology · doi:10.1016/j.hlpt.2023.100814 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Ajayi, K. V., Flores, S., Fan, Q., Ezenwanne, F., Garney, W. R., & Wachira, E. (2023) · Patient Education and Counseling · doi:10.1016/j.pec.2023.107703 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Self-citationCai, X., Li, W., Shi, W., Cai, Y., & Zhou, J. (2026) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/82170 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Cho, M., Han, A., Lee, H., Choi, J., Lee, H., & Kim, H. H. (2025) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare13101183 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Patel, R., Akahara, P. C., Musa, M. R. O., Okereke, O. P., Puri, C., Abera, S., Okoronkwo, O. U., Iroro, J., Dan-Eleberi, A. O., Okobi, O. E., et al. (2023) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.42659 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Health Motivation as a Predictor of mHealth Engagement Across BMI: Cross-Sectional Survey
Chang, S.-H., Yeh, L., Chen, D., Hu, K., Yu, M., & Chang, C. (2025) · JMIR mhealth and uhealth · doi:10.2196/71625 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Chen, Y., Turkson‐Ocran, R., Koirala, B., Davidson, P. M., Commodore-Mensah, Y. Y., & Himmelfarb, C. D. (2024) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/46277 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Enitan, S. S. (2023) · Women Health Care and Issues · doi:10.31579/2642-9756/162 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Rosenberg, D. (2025) · Mobile Media & Communication · doi:10.1177/20501579251353644 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
The Feasibility and Acceptability of AI-Based eGuide for Healthcare Centers in Oman
Mohamed, Y. A., Bashir, M., Khanan, A., & Hakro, D. N. (2025) · Information · doi:10.3390/info16121093 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Haridas, C., Potter, A. L., Srinivasan, D. H., Hwang, T., Seastedt, K. P., Neilan, T. G., Nguyen, T. C., Lee, H., Li, X., & Yang, C. J. (2026) · Journal of the American College of Surgeons · doi:10.1097/xcs.0000000000001746 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
PROSPECTS FOR IMPLEMENTING DIGITAL TOOLS FOR HEALTH PROMOTION IN THE WORKPLACE
Aleksandrenko, H. D., & Shevchenko, M. (2024) · Clinical and Preventive Medicine · doi:10.31612/2616-4868.7.2024.14
Empowering Women in the Digital Age: A Narrative Review of Technological Opportunities and Barriers
Yaman, H., & Çakıroğlu, G. (2025) · İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi · doi:10.38079/igusabder.1629806
Sustainability in Healthcare: The Role of Digital Technologies for Improving Patient Engagement
Schiavone, F., Zeuli, F., Grieva, O., Escobar, O., & Bernhard, F. (2025) · Business Ethics the Environment & Responsibility · doi:10.1111/beer.70035
Sou, D., Fuchs, M., Meegahapola, L., Peintner, A., Jutzeler, C. R., Kowatsch, T., Ivanova, O., & Nißen, M. (2025) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-7019879/v1
da Silva, I. T. S., Dantas, A. C., Borges, B. E. C., de Carvalho, L. M., da Silva, C. L. B., Nascimento, H. R. D. C., Fernandes, M. I. D. C. D., & Vítor, A. F. (2026) · Nursing Forum · doi:10.1155/nuf/5153797
Ajayi, K. V. (2026) · Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities · doi:10.1007/s40615-026-02935-x
Self-citationJackson, D. N., & Baur, C. (2026) · Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities · doi:10.1007/s40615-026-02921-3
Hannemann, N., Hübner, U., & Babitsch, B. (2026) · Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1007/s10389-026-02804-1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
- Authors
- Ajayi, K. V., Wachira, E., Onyeaka, H. K., Montour, T., Olowolaju, S., & Garney, W.
- Affiliations
- Texas A&M University (US)
- East Texas A&M University (US)
- McLean Hospital (US)
- The University of Texas at San Antonio (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ajayi, Kobi V
- Venue
- JMIR mHealth and uHealth
- Publisher
- JMIR Publications Inc.
- Published
- 2022-08-19
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- e39520
- ISSN
- 2291-5222 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC9440408
- OpenAlex
- W4292378943
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 8
- FWCI
- 7.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- JMIR mhealth and uhealth (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Health, Technology, Consumer Behavior
- Keywords
- digital health tools, health promotion, women with chronic illness, chronic disease, wearable devices, health data sharing, health decision-making, social determinants of health, health literacy, health information seeking
- MeSH terms
- Smartphone, Multiple Chronic Conditions, Chronic Disease, Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
