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An Action Research Study on Co-Designing a Mobile Health Monitoring Application for a 60-Year-Old Birth Cohort
Tiia Yrttiaho1, Erika Jarva1, Michele Atzeni2
1Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|May 23, 2026
Summary
Public involvement in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 co-designed a mobile health app. Despite recruitment challenges, the co-design workshops were successful and meaningful.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Informatics
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966) is a valuable resource for longitudinal health research.
- Integrating public involvement in cohort studies enhances relevance and application design.
- Previous research highlights the need for user-centered design in health technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the integration of public involvement in the NFBC1966 study.
- To co-design a mobile health monitoring application for the cohort's 60-year follow-up using action research.
- To assess the feasibility and reception of public involvement activities.
Main Methods:
- Action research methodology was employed.
- Three co-design workshops were conducted with public representatives.
- A mobile health monitoring application was iteratively developed based on workshop feedback.
Main Results:
- Co-design workshops resulted in concrete modifications to the mobile health application.
- Public involvement activities were perceived as meaningful and well-received by participants.
- Challenges were encountered in recruiting a demographically diverse group, particularly men.
Conclusions:
- Public involvement can be successfully integrated into large birth cohort studies.
- Co-design workshops are effective for developing user-centered health applications.
- Addressing diversity in public involvement is crucial for representative research outcomes.
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