Digital Health Embraces the Boomers

[Commentary] As many industries chase the teen world and the 18-to-34 demographic -- retail being the most prominent -- health care, that historical laggard, appears to be ahead of the game with the over-50 market.

In fact -- and perhaps even more quizzical, given the ultramodern visual of baby boomers outfitted in wearable technology -- digital health represents the most visible area of that investment. Recent research conducted by StartUp Health shows that investment in digital health in Q1 2014 more than doubled year over year. And one clear trend that popped out from the data was the scope of investment focused on the over-50 market.

Led by a growing appreciation of the value of preventative medicine, venture capital funding targeted to benefit and capitalize on areas of health that impact the 50+ market represented 53 percent of all digital-health investments from 2010 to 2013. Within that, care navigation ($2.5 billion), vital-sign monitoring ($1.95 billion) and aging with vitality ($1.27 billion) were the most-funded markets. And some emerging 50+ investor areas of interest attracting excitement and investment include behavioral and emotional health, social engagement, diet and nutrition, and physical fitness

[Stoakes is Co-Founder and President, StartUp Health]