Wellocracy, launched Oct. 24 by Partners HealthCare's Center for Connected Health, aims to help consumers make sense of a fast-growing market -- collecting clinically-based, impartial information on widening galaxy of fitness trackers and mobile apps.

The Center for Connected Health was one of the first organizations in the world to use technology to deliver care outside of a hospital or doctor's office, launching connected health programs at Harvard Medical School-affiliated teaching hospitals, including Brigham and Women's and Massachusetts General Hospitals in Boston. It goal with Wellocracy is to empower consumers to self-manage their health, create and maintain individual wellness goals and achieve a greater quality of life, officials say.

Nearly half of Americans (48 percent) say it's hard to stay motivated and healthy, and only 22 percent are very confident in their ability to keep track of their own health, according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Wellocracy. That survey (more findings below) provides new data related to the use of activity trackers, mobile apps and other tools to monitor health and wellness, including physical activity, nutrition and sleep.

"There are dozens of activity and health trackers on the market today, and literally thousands of health apps available for consumers," said Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, founder and director, Center for Connected Health, in a press statement. "Yet, instead of getting people moving towards a healthy lifestyle, most feel paralyzed by all these choices and the technology can be dizzying."

"Wellocracy is focused on inspiring and empowering individuals to self-manage their health and wellness by providing up-to-date information, expert guidance and innovative ideas to help people get the most out of personal health technologies," he added.

Wellocracy aims to deliver consumer-friendly information, expert guidance from clinicians and unbiased opinions about personal health technologies, says Partners officials. The site also applies behavioral science to help individuals find their 'stickiness factor,' that is the specific motivation that inspires each of us to stay on track to achieve health and wellness goals.

According to the survey, 68 percent agree that encouragement from friends and family is important for them to achieve health goals. 65 percent believe that using a health tracking device, website or app would be beneficial, including helping them stay motivated to meet health and fitness goals (32 percent), and over one-quarter believe it would provide accountability (31 percent) and help them stay in control of their health (27 percent).

"We know that if we give people -- young and old -- insights into their health and help them understand how lifestyle choices impact quality of life, they feel more accountable, engaged and live a healthier, more active life," said Kvedar, in a statement. "Integrating 'self-health' tools like activity and nutrition trackers and sleep monitors into our daily lives, we can learn from our own behaviors and make positive changes to take charge of our health.

"We're taking these devices and apps, personalizing the experience and helping people figure out the right health technologies, the right strategy and the right inspiration to get on the right track to health and wellness," he added.

[See also: Center for Connected Health touts WiFi ]

The Wellocracy survey suggests that connecting personal health information with the right motivation can help people achieve their health and wellness goals. Moreover, it found that consumers are interested in more data about themselves as a way to improve their health:

• 86 percent believe that feeling informed about their own health is empowering;
• 59 percent of women and 56 percent of men aged 35-44 reported that it is hard to stay motivated to live a healthy life, and about half (52 percent and 51 percent, respectively) wished they could make better use of technology to keep track of their health;
• 55 percent of women and 49 percent of men aged 18-44 believe that easy tracking (including physical activity, calories and sleep) is essential to achieving health-related goals;
• 48 percent of women and 42 percent of men aged 18-34 reported that encouragement from family and friends is essential;
• 42 percent of women and only 20 percent of men aged 45-54 reported that support and tools from their healthcare provider is essential;
• 19 percent of women and 17 percent of men aged 35-44, and 25 percent of women and 21 percent of men aged 55 and over are very confident in their ability to keep track of their own health.

Meanwhile, the poll found a majority of consumers (56 percent) have never used any type of health tracking device, app or website. Younger adults, aged 18-34, were most likely to use diet (23 percent) or fitness apps (26 percent) on their phones; 7 percent of adults aged 55 and over reported ever using a diet app and only 3 percent have used a fitness app on their phone; the age group reporting the highest use of digital activity pedometers (19 percent) were 35-44 year olds; only 5 percent of adults aged 18 and over reported ever using a sleep tracker.

"There is a huge void in the market today," said Kvedar. "Easy to use, accurate and effective health and wellness trackers are readily available, yet most consumers are not using them. Wellocracy will fill that void and help individuals select the right health technology best suited to their preferences and goals, and figure out the personal motivation that will keep them on track to best manage their health."