Uncovering Core Qualities of Digital Interventions for Health Promotion: Perspectives From People With Intellectual...

People with intellectual disabilities experience significant health inequities. Digital interventions for health promotion are rarely designed from their specific needs. This study aimed to uncover core qualities of digital interventions for health promotion by exploring factors influencing health behaviours amongst people with intellectual disabilities.

This study was conducted in Sweden. Co-design was used across 10 workshops with 18 people with intellectual disabilities, five relatives, and 12 professionals. Verbal and visual data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Three categories were generated as factors influencing health behaviours: Integrating a Sense of Belonging, Building Confidence Through Involvement, and Ensuring Structural and Contextual Coherence. For each category, two core qualities for digital interventions were uncovered.

Digital interventions for health promotion targeting people with intellectual disabilities should integrate accessible design with social, emotional, and structural support, and be embedded within everyday contexts to foster empowerment, meaningful participation, and social connectedness.