The History, Evolution, and Future of Digital Health Tools
- haleywilliams86
- Mar 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 20
The History and Evolution of Digital Health Tools
It is clear that as technology has developed, digital tools have been right beside it. These tools have come a long way, though, from original trackers and records to new AI systems, robotic surgeries, and mobile applications that have reshaped how we view global healthcare, boosting accessibility, self-empowerment, and turning the focus from treatment to preventative care. As our society has become more technologically advanced through competition, organic growth, and health challenges like a pandemic, digital health tools have pivoted and grown with us.
From Beginning to Now:
Digital health tools are a somewhat recent development, making the history shorter than some other areas of focus, but causing the evolution that has happened to see much, much quicker.
Digital Health tools find their beginning in things like the first electric pedometer, founded in 1965, with digital health records beginning to be developed around that same time, although not widely available for another 30 years. The Mayo Clinic would begin to develop telehealth for remote visits only ten years later, and the HIPAA Act in 1996 would change how electronic health records could be shared to protect involved parties(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). In the 2000s, we would see the advancement and introduction of technology into everyday life, both portable and stationary, which would put an increased focus on digital technology and controlling health data. At the end of the early 2000’s, wearables like FitBit would begin, opening a door into tracking health data from everyone, soon followed by Apple Watches, Apple Health, and mobile apps for digital health focuses(Burggraf, 2018). In 2017, the FDA created its Digital Health Unit to attempt to keep up with these mobile apps(FDA, 2020). In 2020, the pandemic led to a widespread adjustment as we were using telehealth practices across platforms like ZocDoc, as well as Zoom. As we approach the present, we have seen an increase in AI-driven digital health tools.
Digital health tools might have started as a way to aid in record keeping, allow for information and communications to flow more easily, and to protect patients, but they have expanded to put consumers in the foreground of their healthcare and how they handle their health. Digital health tools have been rooted in efficiency and progress since the beginning. The introduction of electronic health records showed what the future would bring and allowed for a centralization of data, allowing providers to improve care, accuracy, and treatment plans(Arigo et al, 2025).
Enter: The SmartPhone and Wearables:
Digital health tools took off at a rapid rate with the adoption of smartphones, and wearable technologies hit the market. These technologies allowed for supercomputers to exist in a back pocket, or around the wrist or finger. These brought with them a wave of self-monitoring and communication tools, like watches and rings that allow for fitness, sleep, and health monitoring like heart rate, sleep patterns, blood pressure, and more. With these wearables also came mobile apps that allowed for mobile telehealth, like ZocDoc and BetterHelp, as well as medication reminders, groups of those with the same problem, and tracker apps. With this information being easily trackable, individuals can take an active role in their health, communicate information with their practitioners, and focus on preventative care. Also, this technology allowed for doctors to be reachable through chat features on medical portals, allowing for easy consultation, data syncing, and more(Tian et al, 2025).
With these digital health technologies, although they have expanded widely and allowed for increased self-management, communication, and accessibility, it is clear they do not exist in a vacuum. Patients and healthcare providers alike have expressed that these tools are not a replacement for traditional care. Alessa points out in her research,“The majority across all groups recognized digital health’s potential in supporting self-management but emphasized that it should complement rather than replace in-person care”(Alessa, 2025). These digital health tools can be the strongest when partnered with existing providers.
Within this advancement in digital health, also came the explosion and oversaturation of digital health tools that are not fully regulated by the FDA, raising concerns about the accuracy, privacy, and safety of wearables and mobile apps.
Telehealth and the Pandemic
The evolution and mainstream acceptance of digital health tools such as telehealth exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic due to patients being isolated from face-to-face visits with their practitioners. With this also came a large push to expand network access to rural areas so those far away from care could have accessible, reliable options, as well as reduce costs of care travel, for those geographically separated(Maita et al, 2024). Although many had worries about the quality of telehealth and how it would be transitioning back to an in-person or hybrid care approach after the pandemic, it seems that telehealth is still just as strong, especially with health challenges that require follow-up or frequent care, like mental health and chronic problems. For example, when looking at mental health telehealth care, studies have shown “little (if any) difference between in-person and remote (telehealth) treatment for mental health outcomes (Arigo et al, 2025). Despite this, there are still concerns about remote areas' access to connection, the price of devices needed to participate in Telehealth, and the continued literacy gaps with digital technology that leave large communities struggling to use and understand these technologies.
Artificial Intelligence and The Future of Digital Health Tools:
Most recently, digital health tools have seen advancements by integrating AI into technology, as well as utilizing AI to analyze large amounts of data to work towards personalized care experiences, chatbot communication, and diagnoses(Tian et al, 2025; Arigo et al, 2025). AI in healthcare could allow data to be analyzed rapidly to determine outcomes, help with disease tracking, help with diagnostic image decisions, and analyze all patient information to determine future health risks, as well as outline treatment plans specialized to the person needing care.
Despite these possible advantages, there are major concerns surrounding AI in healthcare, such as a lack of privacy, transparency, and accuracy in information if not closely monitored and fact-checked by humans. Also, depending on how the model is trained, bias could be introduced.
The future of digital health is approaching and continuing to evolve, but users are still concerned about some key factors. As the industry grows, AI expands, and technology continues to be produced, it needs to come with regulations from the government, digital literacy classes, and privacy protections. Also, there needs to be a focus on inclusivity and usability for those who are not currently being catered to. With healthcare professionals struggling to adapt, it is clear that more focus might need to go into helping people understand the technology, instead of rapidly producing more and more technology. The future of digital health tools is bright, so we'd better hold on tight!
References:
Alessa, T. (2025). Anticipations and Requirements of Individuals with
Long-Term Health Conditions Regarding Self-Management and Digital Health Support
Tools. Patient Preference & Adherence, 19, 2901–2918.
Arigo, D., Jake-Schoffman, D. E., & Pagoto, S. L. (2025). The recent history and near
future of digital health in the field of behavioral medicine: an update on progress from
2019 to 2024. Journal of behavioral medicine, 48(1), 120–136.
Burggraf, P. (2018). Healthcare Evolution Over the Last 25 Years: Key Changes, Lessons, and Future Trends. Thryve.health. https://www.thryve.health/blog/healthcare-evolution-prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 10). Health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 (HIPAA). Public Health Law; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/php/resources/health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act-of-1996-hipaa.html
Food and Drug Administration. “What Is Digital Health?” FDA, 22 Sept. 2020,
Growth, G. (2026, January 13). Digital Health 2026: Ten Predictions as the Industry Shifts From Hype to Hardwiring - Galen Growth. Galen Growth. https://www.galengrowth.com/digital-health-2026-predictions-hype-to-hardwiring/
Tian, H., Zhang, K., Zhang, J., Shi, J., Qiu, H., Hou, N., Han, F., Kan, C., & Sun, X.
(2025). Revolutionizing public health through digital health technology. Psychology,
health & medicine, 30(6), 1171–1186. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2025.2458254
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