2H 2020 Health & Wellness M&A Report

The health & wellness industry is broad – one of the broadest – and includes health supplements, nutraceuticals, wearable devices, and tech applications, all geared to helping people achieve and maintain good health. All of these subsectors, coincidentally, were also in the spotlight in 2020 during the global pandemic when people became more aware, and potentially concerned, about their health, while conflicted over stepping into a doctor’s office or hospital. That’s understandable. Health officials did a thorough job of explaining the presence of COVID-19 and issuing stay-at-home orders. But the unintended consequence appears to have been a dramatic drop in so-called “ambulatory care,” traditional and non-emergency doctor visits. And while some may have been fearful of seeking care in a traditional setting, others may have been unable, as a widespread loss of jobs corresponded to a loss of health insurance. In surveys, U.S. physicians reported 60%-80% drops in patient visits. Although patients shied away from doctors’ offices, they were also increasingly reminded of the importance of overall wellness, maintaining their immune system, and monitoring personal health. Nutritional supplements were poised to surge. As the pandemic spread, research found wearable fitness trackers designed to help people monitor general health may also help detect symptoms of COVID-19 and bolster public health efforts. And home health tech became a part of daily life: Global sales of non-contact infrared thermometers were expected to jump 55% by year’s end. Global sales of blood oxygen measurement devices (oximeters) are predicted to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 7% between now and 2027, from a $1.75 billion industry to $3.1 billion…