Public Perceptions and Engagement in mHealth: A European Survey on Attitudes towards Health Apps Use and Data Sharing

This study explores public perceptions and engagement in mobile health (mHealth) across eight European countries: Italy, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Romania, and Hungary. The focus is on the public’s attitudes toward health app usage and data sharing examined through a cross-sectional survey involving 6,581 participants. The survey revealed that 21.87% of respondents currently use health apps, with 42.71% expressing interest in future use. Regarding data sharing, 52.82% are willing to share health data with healthcare providers, and 25.48% would share data with public and private research institutions. However, concerns about data privacy and security are prevalent, with 63.68% fearing hacking of their data and 72.34% afraid that their data might be used for inappropriate purposes. However, prevalent concerns about data privacy and security emerged, with 72.34% expressing worry about data misuse and 63.68% fearing data hacking.

The study highlights significant generational and geographical differences in mHealth engagement, with older generations displaying a lower adoption level of health apps. Education level emerged as a crucial factor influencing attitudes toward mHealth, with those having tertiary education more likely to use health apps and demand transparency. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to enhance digital literacy, ensure data privacy, and promote equitable access to mHealth technologies across Europe.