Using Human-Centered Design in Community-Based Public Health Research: Insights from the ECHO Study on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Montreal, Canada

Krystelle Marie Abalovi, Geneviève Fortin, Maryam Parvez, Joyeuse Senga, Joe Abou-Malhab, Cat Tuong-Nguyen, Caroline Quach, Ashley Vandermorris, Kate Zinzser () and Britt McKinnon
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Krystelle Marie Abalovi: École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
Geneviève Fortin: École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
Maryam Parvez: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1Y7, Canada
Joyeuse Senga: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1Y7, Canada
Joe Abou-Malhab: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1Y7, Canada
Cat Tuong-Nguyen: École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
Caroline Quach: Departments of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology & Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
Ashley Vandermorris: Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
Kate Zinzser: École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
Britt McKinnon: Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Montréal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: (1) Background: This study used human-centered design (HCD) within a community-based research project to collaboratively develop local strategies aimed at enhancing COVID-19 vaccine confidence among children and youth. (2) Methods: HCD projects were carried out between December 2021 and August 2022 by four community-based design (CBD) teams in Montreal, Canada. The CBD teams were composed of parent and youth community members, public health and social science researchers, and HCD specialists. Process evaluation data, collected from the CBD team members through focus group discussions and written questionnaires, were used to reflect on the use of HCD in this project. (3) Results: The CBD teams designed and implemented projects addressing factors they identified as contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for children and youth in their communities, including misinformation, lack of trust, social inequities, and resistance to pandemic-related restrictions. The CBD team members appreciated many aspects of the HCD approach, especially the values it stands for, such as empathy, co-creation, and collaboration. HCD and public health specialists described some tension between the different disciplinary approaches. (4) Conclusions: HCD holds promise for addressing complex public health issues, though further exploration of strategies for integrating HCD within established models of community-based public health research is needed.

Keywords: human-centered design; HCD; vaccine hesitancy; COVID-19; community-based research; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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