Applying Design Thinking to identify strategies for enacting evidence-based policymaking supporting Standard Time

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Chronobiology
• Health Policy

Background:

• The transition between Standard Time (ST) and Daylight Saving Time (DST) poses health, safety, and economic risks.
• Public opinion largely favors eliminating the time change, but legislative proposals often promote permanent DST (pDST) against scientific recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore communication strategies for building public support for permanent Standard Time (pST) legislation.
• To identify public perceptions of pDST and the scientific rationale for pST.

Main Methods:

• Design Thinking methodology was used with a multidisciplinary group (n=19).
• Participants discussed the public's positive view of pDST and the scientific case for pST.
• Qualitative analysis of participant feedback and generated news headlines informed communication strategies.

Main Results:

• Public favored pDST due to perceived longer days and social benefits.
• pST was favored for improved health, sleep, alertness, and productivity.
• Generated headlines emphasized health and cost savings associated with pST.

Conclusions:

• Design Thinking is an effective, underutilized method for identifying barriers to evidence-based legislation.
• This approach can help generate public support for enacting permanent Standard Time.