A growing number of diabetics in the US will be instrumental in pushing the home care health market past the $10 billion mark in the next four years. A report on the home care health product market says that diabetics and other people who suffer from chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases are shifting from being treated in hospital to being treated at home. The relatively cheaper home care options leads to regular investment in home testing and monitoring products.

Diabetics who require periodic self care, contribute to making the home health monitor market one of the leading segments in the global market. This is a market tipped to receive a further shot in the arm and is expected to increase market sales by over $758 million in the next four years.

Close on the heels of this segment is a rapidly growing segment of defibrillators, a market that’s forecast to expand by over 25% in the next five years. This is a market that’s benefited form increased competition, decreased prices and a strong demand. There are 2.3 million individuals with atrial fibrillation who are consumers in this segment. It is this segment that has been projected to overtake the home health monitor market which is kept afloat by diabetics.

Analysts have reported that the US market for home care products and equipment has gone up steadily in a six year growth period up to 2006. With the Baby Boomers steadily moving into old age, and advances in medicine contributing to average life expectancy going up, the number of home care patients is all set to rise further, predicts the report.

Analysts also point out that while the overall US population is growing by about 1.2 % per year, the segment of people in the over-65 age group is expanding at double this pace. They note that it is this population that uses a majority of home health care products which include ambulatory aids like canes and crutches, nutritional supplements, nebulisers, ventilators and dialysis equipment.