HHS to Launch Major Wearable Device Campaign
Original Article: https://www.medscape.com/s/viewarticle/us-health-secretary-kennedy-says-hhs-launch-campaign-2025a1000gzd
Understanding the Campaign
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on June 24, 2025, that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will soon roll out a nationwide campaign to promote the use of wearable health devices—such as fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, and continuous glucose monitors. Kennedy described it as “one of the biggest” efforts the agency has ever launched, aiming for every American to use a wearable within four years as part of his “Making America Healthy Again (MAHA)” agenda.
Goals and Benefits
The campaign is designed to help individuals take charge of their own health. By tracking real-time personal health data—such as glucose levels and heart rate—people have the potential to learn how food, exercise, and other daily choices affect their bodies. Kennedy emphasized that wearables offer a more affordable option compared to costly medications, noting, “if you can achieve the same thing with an $80 wearable, it’s a lot better for the American people.” He still supports weight-loss drugs for morbid obesity or diabetes when used alongside exercise, but sees wearables as a cheaper, scalable alternative.
Industry Reaction and Future Outlook
Announcement of the campaign lifted stock prices for wearable device companies. However, analysts caution that this does not guarantee insurance coverage for wearables among Medicare or private insurers at this point. Additionally, the campaign ties into broader structural reforms at HHS under Kennedy, including consolidating public health offices into a new Administration for a Healthy America as part of the MAHA strategy.
Concluding Remarks
HHS’s upcoming campaign reflects a sharp shift toward preventive and consumer-led health strategies. By encouraging wearable device use, the department aims to reduce dependency on expensive medications, enhance personal health awareness, and lower chronic disease risks. Whether this initiative will prompt insurers to broaden coverage remains to be seen.
