Mobile Health (mHealth) Market Size

mHealth Market Analysis

The Mobile Health (mHealth) Market was valued at USD 63,543.75 million in the base year, and it is expected to reach USD 236,214.86 million by the end of the forecast period, registering a CAGR of 24.57%.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a relatively positive impact on the overall market. Mobile health emerged as a new saviour to avoid the further spread of infection and protect front-line workers and patients alike. Mobile health solutions, primarily through smartphones and remote monitoring, became a lifeline for consultations. The primary factor was that many healthcare professionals took a two-way approach to treating patients. Therefore, the rising cases of COVID-19 increased the mobile health business in the short term. In the long run, this situation accelerated the wide adoption of digital solutions, especially those with remote care components. Before the pandemic, technology was on the back end in most hospitals, which created an opportunity to get in front by dealing with patients through online gateways. For instance, as per Becker's Healthcare Report, during the first three-quarters of 2021, there were 251 digital health investment deals. To improve the health of populations, mobile health platforms have gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rising penetration of digital health services for remote patient monitoring is also increasing the demand for mobile health apps, even after the pandemic, which in turn is expected to propel market growth over the forecast period. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the mobile health (mHealth) market and is expected to do so in the long run.

The outbreak of the coronavirus boosted the telehealth usage and mobile health solutions such as tele-ICU devices that helped the caregivers communicate effectively with their patients during the pandemic and provided better solutions to their health concerns. Due to social distancing implemented by various countries worldwide, virtual care delivery stepped up as an effective solution for safe and better communication.

In recent years, the number of internet applications in healthcare has increased exponentially. The internet has linked all the points in healthcare administration/services and created a separate network, the IoT, for healthcare. With the help of the internet, healthcare professionals can deliver health information to consumers more conveniently, in less time, and at a reduced cost. A growing preference for mobile technology and the internet and mounting demand for digital health is expected to boost the market growth.

Additionally, in August 2021, Athenahealth and the Smile Foundation launched the Smile on Wheels mobile health unit in Chennai. Athenahealth is providing financial support to a Smile on Wheels mobile health unit, which will offer primary healthcare services in an area of Chennai with approximately 17,600 households and 88,000 residents. The smile on Wheels is a national-level mobile hospital program catering to underprivileged children and women. The program sends medical vans along with specialized doctors, nurses, medical staff, and medicine to identified villages and underserved communities to provide crucial access to healthcare services.

Thus, owing to the abovementioned factors, the market is expected to show growth over the forecast period. However, data security issues and stringent regulatory scenarios for mobile health applications may hamper the growth of the market.