Methods for Co-designing Health Communication Initiatives with People with Disability: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Co-design, a collaborative approach where end-users are actively involved in design processes, has gained traction in health communication. Its integration into health communication initiatives holds promise for amplifying the voices of people with disability. Despite this, its application remains inconsistent. This scoping literature review explores how people with disability are included, when and through what methods to co-design health communication interventions. Principles of importance are considered and identified. Thirty articles published between 2018 and 2023 were reviewed. The review identified a range of methods used in health communication initiatives, with people with disability engaging at different stages and in different ways. While co-design offers potential for improved health communication, challenges such as unpredictable outcomes, diversity of participant needs, and barriers to full engagement persist. Improved transparency and consistency in reporting co-design processes are recommended to enhance rigor and effectiveness of future initiatives.