DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Aug 25, 2015) -  Parks Associates, the leading connected health research firm and host of Connected Health Summit, projects global unit sales of connected digital fitness trackers will grow from more than 23 million in 2014 to more than 82 million by 2019.

Parks Associates will bring together industry leaders to discuss the market for connected health devices and wearables, as well as the current investment climate, at the second-annual Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers, September 9-10, at the Omni San Diego Hotel. The firm estimates five personal networked health device categories -- weight scale, blood pressure monitor, glucometer, pulse oximeter for OTC (over-the-counter) use, and insulin pump -- will generate total U.S. sales of nearly 17 million units in 2019, up from 5.5 million in 2014.

"The most popular connected health devices for consumers are exercise equipment with built-in app support and digital pedometers with wireless connectivity," said Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates. "Design breakthroughs, technology advances, and mass adoption of mobile devices have made consumer-centric healthcare devices increasingly popular. CE companies are helping to drive this young market, creating connected health and wellness devices that help care providers better engage their patients and assist consumers with their self-care needs."

At Connected Health Summit, investors and organizations driving investment in the connected health space will join Stuart Sikes, President of Parks Associates, in the session "Investing in the Connected Health Market," 4:30 p.m., on Wednesday, September 9, to discuss the new opportunities for technology products and services. Investment companies are looking at the wearables space with increased interest as consumers are focused on devices critical to their health and wellness needs and on product designs that best match their lifestyle, habits, and fashion. Speakers include:

• Casper de Clercq, Partner, Norwest Venture Partners
• Jeannine English, President, AARP
• Jason Russell, Director Investment Banking, Citi
• Dave Schulte, Managing Director, McKesson Ventures
• Euan Thomson, Operating Partner, Khosla Ventures

"The industry can take a major step forward by designing products with the consumer foremost in mind," said Jeannine English, President, AARP. "This entails things as basic as simple setup and maintenance, easy-to-read display, comfortable use and clear instructions. It also entails the consumer's need to understand the meaning and significance of personal data. The aging of 76 million Baby Boomers represents a phenomenal opportunity for innovations in the connected health space. People want to stay independent and in control of their lives, and they will embrace the right kinds of products that meet their needs for greater understanding and information they can act on."

Over 250 executives attend the Connected Health Summit, including device makers and distributors, healthcare providers, insurance and health institutions, software and app developers, telecom and broadband service providers, technology enablers, brands, merchants, and mobile infrastructure providers.

The 2015 Connected Health Summit features keynotes from AT&T, Cerner, CVS Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Humana. Sponsors of the event are CEA, Tata Consultancy Services, Validic, Care Innovations, Higi, Humana, MDLIVE, Alarm.com, Lowe's, ROC-Connect, Teladoc, Z-Wave, ZigBee Alliance, iTriage, MivaTek, and the National Sleep Foundation.

Registration is open, and media are invited to secure a press pass. For more information visit www.connectedhealthsummit.com. Follow the conference on Twitter at @CONN_Health_Smt and #ConnectedHealth15. To schedule a meeting with an analyst or speaker, contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.com, 720.987.6614.

About Connected Health Summit

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.

The Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers will take place September 9-10 at the Omni Hotel in San Diego, CA. www.connectedhealthsummit.com. Follow the event on Twitter at @CONN_Health_Smt. Subscribe to Parks Associates' digital health newsletter at http://www.parksassociates.com/newsletters_subscribe.