New digital health research from Parks Associates shows nearly 50% of California broadband households have used at least one online service offered by their doctors, compared to 42% nationally.

The research group’s results are based on a 2Q 2014 nationwide survey of more than 5,000 U.S. broadband households, in advance of the firm’s inaugural Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers (www.connectedhealthsummit.com), taking place Sept. 4-5 at the Omni Hotel in San Diego.

“California is a leader in many technology markets, and digital health is no exception,” says Harry Wang, director, Health & Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates. “California consumers show higher levels of engagement, and this finding, coupled with the innovative offerings from multiple California-based companies, makes this state an important location for this expanding market. We chose to host the Connected Health Summit in San Diego because it serves as the headquarters for multiple health technology companies and innovators.”

Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers analyzes the roles of connected health technologies and innovations in driving changes in consumer behaviors and business models. The event focuses on four areas of consumer health technologies in particular, which all require active consumer participation to be successful: remote health monitoring for accountable care, consumer-centric wellness and fitness solutions, independent living technologies and services, and innovative convenience care models.