Comstock convenes first congressional hearing on mobile health apps, wearable technology

U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) led a congressional hearing on Wednesday into the development of mobile apps and wearable technologies that monitor, diagnose and track medical conditions.

Comstock, the chairwoman of the House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology, convened the first congressional hearing on the development and use of mobile health monitoring technology.

“The rapid growth of this game-changing technology is a reflection of the ingenuity of app designers, and the market of consumers ready, willing and able to take advantage of what technology has to offer in order to be more involved in improving our healthcare,” Comstock said. “This new revolution in technology can and should open up a new revolution in all of us being personally engaged and responsible about our healthcare. I’m excited we can now put more control of our healthcare into our own hands.”

There’s been a boom in the development of healthcare apps and wearable technologies since Apple’s release of the iPhone in 2007. Remaining hurdles to the technology, however, include regulatory systems, data security, privacy and reimbursement issues.

Fifty percent of smartphone users are expected to use mobile health apps by 2017, while the mobile health app market is expected to reach $26 billion, according to projections.