More than 100 million adults in the United States use wearable devices such as Fitbits, Apple Watches, and Oura Rings to monitor their health and fitness, but a new study suggests that access to high-speed internet plays a significant role in whether individuals adopt these technologies. Research from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee indicates that broadband availability and income are stronger predictors of wearable health device use than the presence of medical conditions that could benefit from such monitoring.

Graduate student researcher Vanessa Oladipo analyzed data from nearly 7,000 American adults to examine the factors influencing wearable device ownership and usage, with a particular focus on rural populations. These groups often face higher rates of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic ailments compared to urban residents. Oladipo found that individuals with broadband internet access were twice as likely to own a wearable health device as those without. Additionally, high-income earners were nearly three times more likely to possess such devices than those with lower incomes.

The study highlights that while income affects the ability to purchase these devices, broadband connectivity is essential for leveraging many of their advanced features. Modern wearable technology has evolved from simple step counters to tools capable of tracking sleep patterns, menstrual cycles, stress levels, and cardiovascular health. These capabilities depend on continuous data transmission and analysis, functions that typically require a reliable internet connection.

Medical experts generally agree that wearable devices can offer benefits for patients and healthcare providers by delivering ongoing health data, provided this information is integrated into care alongside traditional medical assessments. Oladipo noted that, in optimal scenarios, individuals managing conditions like high blood pressure could use these devices to monitor cardiovascular strain and receive timely alerts about potential health risks, potentially preventing hospitalizations or emergencies.

The connection between broadband accessibility and healthcare gained greater attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, when telehealth services became a critical tool for medical consultations. Despite this increased focus, the American Library Association reported that as of September 2025, about 20% of U.S. households still lacked reliable home broadband services.

Oladipo’s findings suggest that expanding broadband infrastructure, particularly in underserved and rural areas, combined with efforts to make wearable health devices more affordable, could promote wider adoption and improve health outcomes. The study also found that once individuals possess these devices, usage rates are consistent across different income and education groups, underscoring the importance of addressing access barriers at the point of acquisition.