Understanding Electronic Wearable Adoption in the Context of Healthcare Stigma and Discrimination

Abstract

As we immerse ourselves deeper into the digital age, health care is not untouched by its transformative impact. Today's era is marked by a digital health revolution, where emerging technologies are able to redefine health and wellness. At the forefront of this digital revolution are electronic wearable devices. These devices, ranging from fitness trackers to sophisticated monitoring tools, have enabled remarkable personal health insights, offering real-time data for informed decisions and personalized health interventions. Yet, the personal nature of the data they collect introduce significant privacy concerns; a PricewaterhouseCoopers report indicates that 82% of wearable users are concerned about privacy invasions. The potential for data breaches could lead to stigmatization, particularly for sensitive information related to mental health, sexual activity, chronic conditions, fitness, and dietary habits. These concerns are even more pronounced in marginalized communities, where historical and socio-economic factors intensify the risk of discrimination. The objective of this study is to investigate the privacy risks and concerns associated with the adoption and non-adoption of electronic wearable devices that collect personal health information. This research aims to explore how privacy perceptions and concerns vary among different subgroups of the general population, specifically comparing White Americans with African Americans and Hispanic/Latino/Latina individuals, in the context of collecting and sharing personal health data from wearable devices. Additionally, we seek to understand the factors influencing the adoption and non-adoption of wearable devices and to examine the association between privacy concerns and their potential manifestations. Employing a mixed-methods approach, we recruited a sample of 179 participants via the Prolific research platform. Participants responded to a series of survey questions concerning health data collection, adoption of electronic wearables, sharing of personal information from these devices, and their understanding of privacy practices of companies that collect personal data. Preliminary results indicate a high rate of wearable adoption among participants. However, non-adopters show significant concerns primarily focused on the selling of personal data, mistrust in data-handling companies, and the security of their health information. These concerns underscore a strong desire for enhanced health data privacy. In conclusion, our study reveals a dichotomy in the adoption of electronic wearables: while adoption is high, there is a substantial segment of the population deterred by privacy concerns. The apprehension about the selling of personal data, distrust in companies, and fears regarding data security highlight a critical need for stronger privacy safeguards in the wearable technology industry. These findings suggest that addressing privacy concerns may not only encourage wider adoption but also enhance the trust and safety of current users. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating interventions that can mitigate these concerns and on exploring the long-term impact of privacy perceptions on the adoption of health-related technology.