New Research Brief: Exploring the Role of Wearable Devices in Promoting Behavior Change and Monitoring Health Outcomes

Wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers are becoming powerful tools for understanding and improving health. Our latest research brief, “Exploring the Role of Wearable Devices in Promoting Behavior Change and Monitoring Health Outcomes,” highlights how these devices track sleep, heart rate, physical activity, and stress to provide real-time insights that help people manage their health more effectively.

Wearable devices are becoming more than just step counters;  they have advanced technologically over time and can be reasonably affordable. Through non-invasive sensors in the devices, wearable devices can now track a wide range of physiological and behavioral indicators that offer detailed insights into behaviors that affect health outcomes. In turn, researchers can design interventions using wearable devices that are both accessible and effective.

KDHRC’s Personalized Approach to Habits – Sleep (PATH-S) program demonstrates how wearable technology can be applied in practice. PATH-S provides Fitbits to teens to help them develop healthier sleep routines through personalized micro-habits recommended by the app and real-time tracking to support better sleep and overall well-being. PATH-S helps fill critical gaps in wearable health research and intervention, aiming to improve not only health outcomes among teens  but also the validity of future wearable device research. By including teens from diverse backgrounds and focusing on access, usability, and consistent engagement, PATH-S addresses both technological and social limitations that often limit the success of wearable interventions in broader public health efforts.

Read our full research brief here: https://www.kdhrc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Number-41-September-2025_final.pdf