Debenham J, Birrell L, Newton NC, et al. Co-design of digital public health substance use resources: A collaboration between young people and experts. Health Promot J Austr. 2025;36(1):e874. doi:10.1002/hpja.874
The study explained the co-design and initial evaluation of two digital health resources focused on educating young people about (1) the harms of vaping and (2) the risks associated with consuming alcohol while taking prescription antidepressants. The study aimed to demonstrate how co-design principles could be integrated with traditional evidence reviews to create evidence-based prevention resources tailored to young audiences. The study also assessed the resources’ credibility, usefulness, and impact on increasing perceptions of substance-related harm among young people in New South Wales. The co-design phases involved collaboration with The Matilda Centre’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB). For these digital health resources, nine co-design participants were recruited. Participants were aged 18–24 years from six Australian states and territories. The group included three members from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, one Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander member, three male-identifying members, five female-identifying members, one non-binary member, and three participants who identified as LGBTQIA+. Researchers conducted three focus groups (n = 3), each lasting approximately 30–60 minutes, along with four rounds of individual feedback reviews. Participants contributed to all stages of the project, including identifying knowledge gaps, shaping key messages, and reviewing content throughout development. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combined qualitative inductive and deductive analyses with quantitative methods. Findings showed successful engagement with young people in the co-design process and strong approval of the animated video resources. Most participants rated the videos as “excellent” or “very good,” reported learning new information, and identified previously limited understanding of the harms of e-cigarettes and mixing alcohol with antidepressants. The authors concluded that co-designed digital resources can effectively support substance use prevention and recommended that future research focus on improving dissemination strategies and engaging harder-to-reach youth populations.