How Different Generations Are Embracing Digital Health Solutions
San Francisco, Tuesday, 18 March 2025.
Rock Health’s survey reveals diverse digital health adoption trends: Millennials lead in virtual care use, Gen Z explores AI insights, while Boomers and Silent Generation show trust in traditional methods.
Digital Health Adoption Overview
Recent data from Rock Health’s 2024 Consumer Adoption Survey reveals significant digital health engagement across America. Currently, 58% of Americans have utilized virtual care services, though this represents a 5 percentage point decline from 2023. Additionally, 53% of consumers own at least one wearable device, while 54% actively track their health metrics digitally [1][2]. This comprehensive survey, incorporating responses from over 8,000 U.S. Census-matched adults, provides unprecedented insight into generational differences in digital health adoption [2].
Gen Z: The AI-Savvy Health Explorers
Generation Z (ages 18-24) demonstrates unique digital health behaviors, with 60% utilizing virtual care services in the past year. Notably, this generation shows the highest adoption of AI-driven health solutions, with 29% using AI tools for health-related queries. Specifically, 18% employ AI for condition diagnosis, while 16% use it for exploring treatment options [2]. However, Gen Z also exhibits the highest skepticism toward traditional healthcare providers, with nearly 10% expressing distrust in provider-supplied health information - a rate nine times higher than the Silent Generation [2].
Millennials: Digital Health Champions
Millennials (ages 25-44) emerge as the frontrunners in digital health adoption, with 68% using virtual care services and 66% owning wearable devices - the highest rate among all generations [3]. Their virtual care usage spans multiple areas, including primary care (29%), mental healthcare (25%), and general wellness (24%) [3]. However, this generation shows interesting trust patterns, with only half willing to share their health data with providers, though they lead in willingness to trust tech companies with their data at 9% [3].
Boomers and Silent Generation: Traditional Trust
Baby Boomers (ages 65-74) maintain a significant digital presence, with 48% utilizing virtual care and 36% owning smartwatches or connected devices [2]. Their health tracking focuses heavily on medication management, with 87% taking at least one prescription medication and 47% managing more than four prescriptions [2]. The Silent Generation (75+) demonstrates the strongest trust in traditional healthcare systems, with 76% expressing complete trust in clinician information. Notably, 88% of this generation tracks at least one health metric, though only 35% do so digitally [2][3].