New website profiles the patients, devices, and research behind wireless-powered health and wellness
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CTIA, the wireless industry association, today launched Wireless & Wearables, a new online resource providing information on how Americans are using wireless-powered wearables to improve their health. More than 100 million Americans use a wearable device today. These devices have great potential to help address the chronic disease epidemic. Research shows that better prevention, earlier disease detection, and improved management of chronic conditions could save 13.5 million lives.
America's wireless networks are transforming healthcare by turning wearables into 24/7 medical devices. Wearables sense issues before they become serious problems, and wireless networks make the connection, enabling real-time treatment and continuous care wherever people are.
"Behind every connected device is a person—a new mom, a heart patient, a senior living independently, or someone managing diabetes every day," said Ajit Pai, President and CEO of CTIA. "Wireless technology is giving people new ways to understand their health, stay connected to care, and live longer, healthier lives."
Wireless & Wearables profiles real Americans using wireless-powered wearables across eight areas where they are having a significant impact: health and fitness, maternal health, aging in place, rural healthcare, remote patient monitoring, heart disease management, diabetes, and assistive technology for people with disabilities.
In addition to explaining the different kinds of devices available, Wireless & Wearables will highlight research about their impacts, including:
- Wearables detect disease earlier. In a study of more than 400,000 participants, smartwatches flagged atrial fibrillation with 84% accuracy, giving users the chance to prevent a stroke instead of having to recover from one.
- Wearables are critical to addressing spiraling healthcare costs. Chronic disease drives 90% of what America spends on health care. Better prevention and earlier detection could avoid $7 trillion in costs over the next 15 years.
- More and more Americans are using wearables to manage their health. Wearable use among American adults grew 58% in five years, to 107 million in 2024. Users include 30 million Americans with hypertension, 17 million with diabetes, and 7 million with a history of heart disease.
- Remote monitoring reduces hospital readmission. Hospitals using wireless-enabled wearables have seen readmission rates drop by more than 65% in some patient groups, and 74% of patients say remote monitoring makes them feel safer. Continuous glucose monitor users are 31% less likely to be hospitalized for low-blood-sugar events.
- Wearables play an important role in addressing rural healthcare. Rural America is home to two-thirds of the country's primary care shortage areas. Wearables can help, with research showing that 34% of rural Americans use these devices. Across studies of remote health programs for older rural adults, 71% found significant clinical improvement.
Ensuring more Americans benefit from this transformation in healthcare management and delivery depends on the networks these devices rely on. America's wireless providers have invested hundreds of billions of dollars in the infrastructure that makes connected care possible.
Visit www.ctia.org/wearables to see their stories and learn how wireless-powered wearables are helping Americans live healthier lives.
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SOURCE CTIA
