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7 Collecting and Genera­ting Digital Health Data

7.1 Collecting and generating personal health data

In question 12 citizens are asked about their data collection behaviour. The numbers are shown in Table 7.1.a and Figure 7.1.a.
Table 7.1.a Have you collected/generated digital health data about your own health?
Denmark
Finland
Iceland
Norway
Sweden
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Yes, by using mobile apps
440
43
352
35
192
19
342
34
341
34
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment (e.g. Wearable technologies, Pedometer, Smart Watch, etc.)
249
24
292
29
230
23
250
25
187
18
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider (e.g. equipment used to measure my blood pressure, oxygen saturation level, weight, sleep, etc.)
135
13
105
10
75
7
35
3
70
7
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
206
20
187
18
108
11
84
8
116
11
Yes, by completing online questionnaires for other purposes (e.g. participation in scientific studies and evaluations)
209
21
115
11
144
14
158
16
90
9
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
103
10
119
12
129
13
121
12
91
9
Other ways
15
1
4
0
9
1
5
0
17
2
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
307
30
332
33
562
55
426
42
456
45
Don’t know
33
3
38
4
33
3
39
4
41
4
N
1017
1015
 
1013
 
1016
 
1017
 
Figure 7.1.a Have you collected/generated digital health data about your own health?
Figure 7.1.a is interesting as it discloses how many different ways citizens collect/generate digital health data, while also indicating that a substantial segment of the populations in the countries, 30 to 45%, do not collect/generate digital health data. Overall, the citizens most often use mobile apps to collect/generate data, which is used by 43% in Denmark, 35% in Finland, 34% in Norway, 34% in Sweden and 19% in Iceland.
Another way to collect/generate digital health data is through the use of privately purchased equipment, which on average is done by 24% of the citizens.
Segments of the population are also collecting/generating data by completing online questionnaires as part of their treatment, which is done by 20% in Denmark, 18% in Finland, 11% in Norway, 8% in Iceland and 11% in Sweden.
In this context, the Iceland numbers are interesting, since 55% of Icelanders have not collected/generated any digital health data, the numbers linked to this question are for the other countries 30% (Denmark), 33% (Finland), 42% (Norway), and 45% (Sweden). Hence, a 10 to 25 percentage points difference between Iceland and the other countries.

Cross tables – Denmark

Table 7.1.b Have you collected/generated digital health data about your own health? Danish answers crossed with age, gender, and educational level.
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Age
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
18–29 years
82
8
40
4
9
1
20
2
19
2
21
2
4
0
61
6
4
0
30–39 years
75
7
51
5
12
1
28
3
30
3
22
2
3
0
37
4
7
1
40–49 years
87
9
51
5
13
1
29
3
24
2
16
2
2
0
53
5
6
1
50–59 years
70
7
40
4
26
3
35
3
37
4
17
2
3
0
53
5
9
1
60–69 years
56
6
38
4
30
3
42
4
44
4
14
1
 
47
5
1
0
70 years or more
70
7
29
3
45
4
52
5
55
5
13
1
3
0
56
6
6
1
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Gender
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Female
228
22
136
13
68
7
118
12
117
12
67
7
5
0
138
14
15
1
Male
211
21
113
11
67
7
88
9
92
9
36
4
10
1
169
17
18
2
Do not wish to share that information
1
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Education level
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Primary school
13
1
5
0
3
0
4
0
9
1
1
0
 
 
20
2
3
0
Secondary education (Matriculation exam etc.)
41
4
21
2
5
0
13
1
14
1
12
1
3
0
36
4
3
0
Vocational education
52
5
22
2
22
2
23
2
19
2
8
1
 
 
41
4
8
1
Short higher education (less than 3 years)
41
4
28
3
15
1
21
2
24
2
7
1
2
0
31
3
1
0
Medium-length higher education (3–4 years)
149
15
83
8
53
5
81
8
74
7
34
3
2
0
80
8
9
1
Longer higher education (over 4 years)
126
12
79
8
34
3
59
6
61
6
37
4
6
1
93
9
9
1
PhD
18
2
11
1
3
0
5
0
8
1
4
0
2
0
6
1
 
 
N = 1017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cross tables – Finland

Table 7.1.c Have you collected/generated digital health data about your own health? Finnish answers crossed with age, gender, and educational level.
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Age
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
18–29 years
82
8
68
7
18
2
39
4
27
3
27
3
 
 
37
4
10
1
30–39 years
71
7
53
5
10
1
31
3
14
1
23
2
 
46
5
4
0
40–49 years
59
6
52
5
11
1
25
2
13
1
14
1
2
0
38
4
9
1
50–59 years
62
6
45
4
26
3
33
3
23
2
17
2
1
0
66
7
 
 
60–69 years
36
4
37
4
16
2
30
3
18
2
13
1
 
72
7
7
1
70 years or more
42
4
37
4
24
2
29
3
20
2
25
2
1
0
73
7
8
1
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Gender
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Female
192
19
163
16
47
5
103
10
56
6
54
5
2
0
153
15
20
2
Male
151
15
125
12
56
6
78
8
56
6
59
6
2
0
176
17
17
2
Non-binary
7
1
3
0
1
0
5
0
2
0
4
0
 
 
1
0
 
 
Do not wish to share that information
2
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
2
0
 
 
2
0
1
0
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Education level
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Primary school
21
2
21
2
11
1
7
1
9
1
8
1
 
 
39
4
2
0
Secondary education (Matriculation exam etc.)
39
4
33
3
8
1
19
2
12
1
17
2
 
 
34
3
3
0
Vocational education
97
10
63
6
29
3
52
5
28
3
23
2
1
0
95
9
13
1
Short higher education (less than 3 years)
47
5
33
3
18
2
28
3
17
2
13
1
1
0
55
5
1
0
Medium-length higher education (3–4 years)
80
8
73
7
16
2
38
4
19
2
32
3
1
0
57
6
12
1
Longer higher education (over 4 years)
62
6
60
6
21
2
37
4
23
2
23
2
1
0
49
5
7
1
PhD
6
1
9
1
2
0
6
1
7
1
3
0
 
 
3
0
 
 
N = 1015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cross tables – Iceland

Table 7.1.d Have you collected/generated digital health data about your own health? Icelandic answers crossed with age, gender, and educational level.
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Age
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
18–29 years
60
6
54
5
12
1
26
3
26
3
38
4
3
0
88
9
17
2
30–39 years
51
5
68
7
17
2
36
4
30
3
32
3
 
93
9
8
1
40–49 years
26
3
47
5
13
1
18
2
21
2
20
2
 
101
10
1
0
50–59 years
27
3
28
3
12
1
15
1
28
3
16
2
2
0
97
10
3
0
60–69 years
16
2
23
2
11
1
11
1
23
2
16
2
 
84
8
3
0
70 years or more
12
1
10
1
10
1
2
0
16
2
7
1
4
0
99
10
1
0
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Gender
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Female
106
10
127
13
32
3
66
7
80
8
83
8
5
0
267
26
21
2
Male
83
8
100
10
43
4
41
4
60
6
44
4
2
0
291
29
12
1
Non-binary
3
0
3
0
 
 
1
0
4
0
2
0
2
0
2
0
 
 
Do not wish to share that information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2
0
 
 
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Education level
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Primary school
10
1
9
1
5
0
4
0
8
1
7
1
1
0
63
6
6
1
Youth education
4
0
6
1
4
0
1
0
6
1
3
0
 
 
40
4
2
0
Vocational education
8
1
9
1
2
0
1
0
2
0
5
0
 
 
31
3
2
0
Master’s degree in industrial industry
4
0
9
1
4
0
2
0
5
0
1
0
1
0
39
4
 
 
Matriculation exam
31
3
33
3
8
1
24
2
22
2
25
2
1
0
56
6
7
1
Secondary education, other than Matriculation exam
9
1
10
1
7
1
6
1
12
1
8
1
 
 
64
6
1
0
Secondary education, technical school examination
4
0
9
1
4
0
4
0
3
0
3
0
 
 
22
2
2
0
Bachelor’s degree (BSc)
59
6
71
7
22
2
32
3
39
4
47
5
6
1
131
13
8
1
Master’s degree, MSc
61
6
71
7
18
2
31
3
43
4
28
3
 
 
110
11
5
0
PhD
2
0
3
0
1
0
3
0
4
0
2
0
 
 
6
1
 
 
N = 1013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cross tables – Norway

Table 7.1.e Have you collected/generated digital health data about your own health? Norwegian answers crossed with age, gender, and educational level.
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Age
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
18–29 years
70
7
60
6
3
0
13
1
19
2
33
3
 
 
72
7
15
1
30–39 years
69
7
52
5
5
0
13
1
24
2
30
3
2
0
60
6
8
1
40–49 years
69
7
54
5
4
0
15
1
32
3
18
2
 
65
6
5
0
50–59 years
57
6
38
4
7
1
16
2
32
3
15
1
1
0
79
8
6
1
60–69 years
49
5
24
2
4
0
17
2
29
3
12
1
1
0
71
7
1
0
70 years or more
28
3
22
2
12
1
10
1
22
2
13
1
1
0
79
8
4
0
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Gender
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Female
179
18
134
13
14
1
46
5
87
9
73
7
3
0
192
19
20
2
Male
162
16
113
11
21
2
38
4
70
7
48
5
2
0
234
23
19
2
Non-binary
1
0
1
0
 
 
 
 
1
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Do not wish to share that information
 
 
2
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Education level
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Primary school
10
1
7
1
4
0
3
0
3
0
3
0
1
0
24
2
3
0
Secondary education (Matriculation exam etc.)
41
4
32
3
5
0
9
1
17
2
14
1
 
 
47
5
11
1
Upper secondary school - vocational subjects
34
3
21
2
3
0
8
1
12
1
12
1
 
 
53
5
6
1
Vocational training (skilled worker, craftsman)
51
5
35
3
5
0
7
1
18
2
10
1
1
0
61
6
8
1
Medium-length higher education (3–4 years)
107
11
82
8
11
1
30
3
48
5
46
5
1
0
125
12
7
1
Longer higher education (over 4 years)
95
9
71
7
7
1
26
3
57
6
35
3
2
0
111
11
3
0
PhD
4
0
2
0
 
 
1
0
3
0
1
0
 
 
5
0
1
0
N = 1016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cross tables – Sweden

Table 7.1.f Have you collected/generated digital health data about your own health? Swedish answers crossed with age, gender, and educational level.
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Age
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
18–29 years
92
9
37
4
17
2
25
2
22
2
26
3
3
0
62
6
13
1
30–39 years
79
8
45
4
8
1
24
2
13
1
25
2
4
0
50
5
11
1
40–49 years
63
6
36
4
10
1
22
2
17
2
12
1
2
0
69
7
6
1
50–59 years
47
5
30
3
10
1
16
2
15
1
6
1
1
0
82
8
5
0
60–69 years
31
3
20
2
8
1
11
1
6
1
7
1
2
0
92
9
2
0
70 years or more
29
3
19
2
17
2
18
2
17
2
15
1
5
0
101
10
4
0
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Gender
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Female
179
18
92
9
31
3
61
6
51
5
52
5
6
1
219
22
14
1
Male
159
16
91
9
37
4
54
5
38
4
36
4
11
1
234
23
27
3
Non-binary
1
0
2
0
2
0
1
0
1
0
2
0
 
 
2
0
 
 
Do not wish to share that information
2
0
2
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
0
 
 
1
0
 
 
 
Yes, by using mobile apps
Yes, by using privately purchased equipment
Yes, by using a measurement device handed to me by the healthcare provider
Yes, by completing online questionnaires as part of a treatment or when monitoring your health
Yes, by completing online question-naires for other purposes
Yes, by taking my notes on a phone, computer or other electronic devices
Other ways
No, I have not collected or generated any type of digital health data
Don't know
Education level
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Freq
%
Elementary school
19
2
10
1
4
0
5
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
45
4
4
0
Secondary school
148
15
75
7
30
3
43
4
39
4
41
4
9
1
211
21
20
2
University/​College
171
17
99
10
35
3
65
6
50
5
47
5
7
1
192
19
17
2
PhD
3
0
3
0
1
0
3
0
 
 
1
0
 
 
8
1
 
 
N = 1017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordic Council of Ministers I www.norden.org/publications I pub@norden.org