mHealth at peak, exaggerations avalanche

Donna Cusano

Back in mid-2010 [TA 29 June], we presented Jon Linkous’ (ATA) analysis of mHealth nearing the top of the Gartner ‘hype cycle’ (the peak of ‘inflated expectations’.) A sure sign that mHealth is at the absolute summit–mainstream media and trade publications outside of technology (see H&HN below) are reporting on mHealth stories. Bloomberg News seems to be leading the way with wild exaggerations and projections. Brian Dolan over at Mobihealthnews takes apart a few of these lulus: FDA regulation of chips in mobile phones, the cost of FDA clearance @ $30 million per device, and 30,000 consumer ‘wellness apps’ in the Apple Store when the real number is less than half, with 30% professional. Every sign indicates that the pile-up’s just beginning.