Health Engagement Research Articles

Leveraging digital marketing for health behavior change: A model for engaging patients through pharmacies

Leveraging digital marketing for health behavior change can significantly enhance patient engagement, especially when deployed through pharmacies. Pharmacies play a pivotal role in public health by serving as accessible points of care where patients can receive critical health information and support for managing various conditions. This paper examines the intersection of behavioral theories, such as the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory, with digital marketing strategies tailored for health engagement. It discusses how pharmacies can effectively use targeted content, social media outreach, and personalized messaging to influence health behaviors. Through a pharmacy-centered approach, digital initiatives like mobile applications, loyalty programs, and telehealth promotions offer new avenues for reaching patients and encouraging proactive health decisions. However, challenges such as data privacy concerns, the risk of misinformation, and regulatory compliance pose barriers to successful implementation. To address these issues, this paper presents recommendations that include secure data practices, evidence-based content, and inclusive digital solutions. Ultimately, by combining theoretical insights with practical digital marketing strategies, pharmacies can foster healthier behaviors, improve patient outcomes, and support broader public health goals.

Effects on personal and cultural wellbeing of attending free community outreach concerts given by a professional orchestra

Despite hundreds of investigations into the benefits of arts engagement for health and wellbeing, much of what we know comes from research in clinical settings, and little is understood about the positive effects of attending live musical performances. As many professional orchestras have begun re-examining their purpose and mission statements, they also seek ways to measure their impact beyond ticket sales and donations in hopes of highlighting positive effects on concertgoers and their community. The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts of a free community outreach concert series provided by a professional orchestra on individual and community wellbeing in a large city in the United States. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews, paired interviews, and a focus group with 18 participants between the ages of 18 and 77 years. Abductive analysis allowed us to consider emerging themes and pre-existing theories of wellbeing concurrently. The results showed three primary areas of impact on concert attendees’ wellbeing: emotional, social, and cultural. Concert attendance fostered positive emotional states and reduced negative emotions, led to personal feelings of connection with the orchestra and across the community, and contributed to personal- and local-cultural wellbeing. In addition to reinforcing much of the prior scholarship on the effects on wellbeing of arts participation, particularly in the emotional and social domains, the results highlight new possible connections between community outreach programs and increased cultural wellbeing.

Examining mental health engagement among veterans diagnosed with serious mental illness.

Engagement in psychosocial mental health services has been found to support and facilitate the process of recovery in individuals with serious mental illness. However, many individuals eligible for these services are not receiving them. Presently, little is known about the factors that contribute to treatment engagement. This study aimed to identify attitudes related to treatment engagement among veterans with serious mental illness enrolled at a large VA medical center. Thirty-six veterans participated in individual qualitative interviews about their beliefs about the efficacy and purpose of mental health care; their perceptions of societal attitudes regarding mental health; and their experiences accessing mental health care. Based on their level of treatment engagement in the last year, veterans were classified as either engaged in psychosocial mental health services (n = 15), engaged in psychiatric medication management only (n = 14), or not engaged in VA mental health services (n = 7). Attitudes associated with level of service usage were examined to identify factors that might improve engagement in treatment and quality of mental health services. Results suggest that provider expertise and rapport were critical to engagement. Our findings also suggest that barriers to accessing care included beliefs about when it was appropriate to request services, stigmatizing attitudes within one's social network, the complexity of the mental health system, and failures of providers and the treatment system to address the needs of a diverse patient population. Implications for clinical training and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Reckless subjects, future capital? ‘Youth’ as an object of concern in international health organizations’ discourse

ABSTRACT Contemporary international organizations (IOs) are routinely portrayed as being more accessible to a wide variety of actors than ever before. The recent hyper-institutionalization of youth in international politics testifies to this pluralization, at least quantitatively. This paper traces the historical emergence of youth as an object of concern among health IOs. Covering a period of over 50 years, we analyse semantic fields surrounding youth and find that young people have primarily been portrayed as society’s future capital in development discourses or as a risk-prone group in the context of HIV/AIDS and reproductive health. Only since the beginning of the 21st century can we trace portrayals of youth that emphasize rights, inclusion and engagement in global health. Our study addresses an empirical research gap on youth in global health and prompts us to critically re-evaluate the optimistic liberal assessments that have marked International Relations (IR) theories on the ‘opening-up’ of IOs.

Association among therapeutic adherence, health literacy, and engagement in care: How to increase health-conscious management of HIV disease.

In the context of People Living with HIV (PLWH), poor health literacy (HL) seems to be linked to poorer health outcomes and reduced engagement in care. Additionally, the level of HL can affect HIV knowledge and may impact adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). This research explored the connection between ART adherence, HL, and engagement in care in a cohort of 250 PLWH receiving ART in Italy. A questionnaire was given to PLWH at Policlinico Gemelli in Rome to assess their health literacy and adherence to therapy. The Brief Health Literacy Screening (BHLS) and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) were used to evaluate subjective and objective HL. Adherence levels were self-reported as poor, good, or excellent, and the assessment included the Patient Health Engagement Scale (PHE-S). Notably, the majority of the sample comprised male individuals (67.9%), with 69.2% reporting a 10-years or longer duration between their HIV diagnosis and their initiation of ART. It was found that PLWH with poor adherence had low schooling, had been living with HIV for 1-5years, were HCV co-infected, had a viremia >50copies/mL, poor health status, poor engagement in care, and poor HL (p = <0.001). They exhibited lower mean scores on the subjective HL scale and lower CD4 T-cell counts and nadir CD4 T-cell counts (p < .001). Our study demonstrated a positive correlation between higher HL levels and improved disease management, treatment adherence, and overall physical and mental well-being. Enhanced HL capabilities are paramount in bolstering health management and treatment adherence.

Volunteering and Its Association with Depression, Loneliness, and Lifestyle of Older Adults: Insights from a Japanese Cross-Sectional Study.

Background/Objectives: Volunteering has been widely recognized as beneficial to the well-being of older adults, providing health benefits, increased social engagement, and a sense of purpose. This study aimed to explore the associations between volunteering and physical and mental health measures among older adults in Japan. Methods: Using an online survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, 500 participants aged 65 and older were divided into volunteer and non-volunteer groups. Demographic, lifestyle, and health characteristics were comprehensively assessed using a series of reliable and validated instruments. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the associations between volunteering and health outcomes. Results: The findings revealed that while there were no significant differences in physical health indicators and undertreatment of most diseases (with the exception of cataracts), volunteers reported significantly lower levels of depression and loneliness compared to non-volunteers. The volunteer group also showed greater engagement in social activities and hobbies, which may have contributed to their improved mental health outcomes. Conclusions: The results of this study add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that volunteering may be an effective, low-cost intervention for promoting mental health and social engagement among older adults.

Lived Experience and Family Engagement in Mental Health and Substance use Health Research: Case Profiles of Five Studies.

People with lived and living experience (PWLLE) and family members (F) can engage in mental health and substance use health research beyond participant roles, as advisors, co-researchers, equal partners and research leads. However, implementing meaningful and effective engagement is complex. This article profiles five research initiatives involving different lived experience engagement structures, situated in a single tertiary care teaching and research hospital. The profiled projects feature various study designs and stages, ranging from initial priority setting to implementation efforts. The levels of engagement range from consultation to PWLLE/F leadership. Across diverse populations, all embody high-quality engagement and illustrate that PWLLE/F can have an important impact on a wide range of mental health and substance use health research. Engagement can be implemented flexibly within a single research institution to meet a wide range of needs and preferences of researchers and PWLLE/F. Each of the research initiatives profiled was conducted with substantial lived experience engagement, as described herein. People with lived and living experience from each research initiative are also included in the authorship team and contributed to this manuscript.

Assessing nursing students’ e[formula omitted]health literacy and foresights to global health challenges during COVID[formula omitted]19 restrictions: A cross-sectional study with a machine learning approach

AimThis study aims to assess the e-health literacy and foresights to global health challenges of nursing students during the COVID19 restrictions. BackgroundAs the healthcare environment becomes more digitalized, understanding how nursing students perceive and prepare for global health challenges during the COVID19 restrictions and e-health literacy is crucial for customizing educational strategies to enhance their capabilities. DesignA descriptive and correlational study design was employed. MethodsThe study included 310 nursing students from six universities in Istanbul, Turkey, encompassing both state and foundation institutions. Data were collected via online surveys, including an Information Form, a Foresight Form for Global Health Challenges and an E−Health Literacy Scale. The study extended beyond conventional statistical analysis by incorporating a tree-based ML model, specifically a Random Forest classifier, to identify complex patterns and relationships affecting e−health literacy and global health perceptions. ResultsThe analysis indicated that e−health literacy levels among nursing students are significantly shaped by their academic year, participation in global health courses and engagement with international health organizations. ML techniques pinpointed the ability to discern high−quality online health resources as a pivotal skill, emphasizing the need for nursing curricula to focus on advanced critical evaluation skills. ConclusionsThe findings stress the necessity of integrating critical evaluation and information−seeking skills into nursing education to equip students for the complexities of a globalized health landscape.

The financial benefits of health engagement programs to life insurers

Life insurance companies, as equity stakeholders in policyholders’ lives, have incentives to mitigate their health risks. I introduce a framework that enables life insurers to evaluate the financial viability of developing and implementing health engagement programs. By leveraging a proprietary big database of health and mortality information from a large U.S. life insurer, I use machine learning techniques to quantify the benefits and use a rational addiction model to calculate the costs associated with these programs. The estimated net benefit available to the life insurer from the smoking cessation program is USD 87 million and the aggregate benefit from including other chronic conditions is USD 872 million. I explore the broader application of this framework in a general health policy context.

Designing Health Interventions to Meet the Needs and Experiences of Minoritized Adolescents: #DoubleTap4Health.

Engagement in preventive health behaviors (PHBs; i.e., healthy eating, sleep, and physical activity) during adolescence is associated with reduced risks for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, in adulthood. Although several interventions seek to improve adolescents' engagement in health promoting behaviors, racial- and income-based disparities across PHBs persist and may be even more pronounced for adolescents with multiple minoritized identities (e.g., Black adolescents in low-income communities). Therefore, targeted interventions that better meet the needs of minoritized adolescents are critical. The design of such interventions should include: (1) adolescent involvement, (2) cultural tailoring, (3) developmental theory, and (4) consideration of the social determinants of health. This article describes how these elements have been successfully incorporated into adolescent preventive health interventions and used to design #DoubleTap4Health, a community-based social media health intervention for Black adolescents from a low-income community. The results of a feasibility pilot of #DoubleTap4Health suggest that (1) attention to these elements in the intervention design process is feasible and advantageous to ensuring that the intervention components are appropriate and well received by adolescents, and (2) the intervention demonstrated promise as adolescents showed improved engagement in PHBs and media literacy skills. Lessons learned and next steps for intervention development are discussed. Including the above four elements in the design of preventive health interventions for adolescents from minoritized communities is critical to promoting health equity.

A Study on Comparative Analysis Regarding Gen-Z’s Perception Over Domino’s Pizza and Pizza Hut in Ahmedabad City

This study investigates Generation Z's perceptions of Domino’s and Pizza Hut in Ahmedabad, focusing on factors such as food quality, pricing, and brand reputation. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the research tests eight hypotheses related to the influence of age on these perceptions. The findings reveal that age does not significantly impact how Generation Z evaluates these brands, leading to the rejection of all null hypotheses. This suggests a shared perspective among this demographic, indicating that factors beyond age—such as overall experience and brand engagement—are crucial in shaping their preferences. The study highlights the need for targeted marketing strategies that resonate with Generation Z's values, particularly in terms of health, sustainability, and digital engagement. Furthermore, enhancing customer experiences and effectively communicating brand value are essential for building loyalty. The findings also emphasize the importance of corporate social responsibility initiatives in improving brand reputation among socially conscious consumers. The study concludes by offering recommendations for future research, including broader demographic analyses and qualitative approaches to gain deeper insights into consumer motivations.

Centering equity, diversity, and inclusion in youth digital mental health: findings from a research, policy, and practice knowledge exchange workshop.

Youth mental health service organizations continue to rapidly broaden their use of virtual care and digital mental health interventions as well as leverage artificial intelligence and other technologies to inform care decisions. However, many of these digital services have failed to alleviate persistent mental health disparities among equity-seeking populations and in some instances have exacerbated them. Transdisciplinary and intersectional knowledge exchange is greatly needed to address structural barriers to digital mental health engagement, develop and evaluate interventions with historically underserved communities, and ultimately promote more accessible, useful, and equitable care. To that end, the Digital, Inclusive, Virtual, and Equitable Research Training in Mental Health Platform (DIVERT), the Maritime Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT (Support for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials) Unit and IWK Mental Health Program invited researchers, policymakers, interprofessional mental health practitioners, trainees, computer scientists, health system administrators, community leaders and youth advocates to participate in a knowledge exchange workshop. The workshop aimed to (a) highlight local research and innovation in youth-focused digital mental health services; (b) learn more about current policy and practice issues in inclusive digital mental health for youth in Canada, (c) participate in generating action recommendations to address challenges to inclusive, diverse and equitable digital mental health services, and (d) to synthesize cross-sector feedback to inform future training curriculum, policy, strategic planning and to stimulate new lines of patient-oriented research. Eleven challenge themes emerged related to white-colonial normativity, lack of cultural humility, inaccessibility and affordability of participating in the digital world, lack of youth and community involvement, risks of too much digital time in youth's lives, and lack of scientific evidence derived from equity-deserving communities. Nine action recommendations focused on diversifying research and development funding, policy and standards, youth and community led promotion, long-term trust-building and collaboration, and needing to callout and advocate against unsafe digital services and processes. Key policy, training and practice implications are discussed.

Adolescent Mental Health Crisis: Current Situation, Challenges and Solutions

This paper explores the mental health issues faced by 10-19-year-olds globally, which remain primarily under-recognized and under-treated. Although depression and anxiety in adolescents cannot be solved quickly, long-term improvements can be achieved. Long-term solutions to the adolescent mental health crisis need to include intergenerational shifts, social reform, medical advances, and public health engagement. The article analyzes the impact of family dynamics, social pressures, technological influences, and external crises on adolescent mental health. It makes policy recommendations, including raising awareness of depression and anxiety symptoms among guardians, establishing robust mental health services, training professional health care providers, and enforcing stricter regulation of cyberspace. And encourage young people to reduce stress through sports, hobbies and social activities. Overall, the paper argues for a policy framework that combines administrative and emotional care to protect young people’s mental health and enable them to reach their full potential.

A Personal Health Record for patients with multiple sclerosis: A 2-year evaluation study

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease impacting the central nervous system, affecting 2.8 million people worldwide. Effective self-management is crucial for treating chronic diseases, including MS. Personal health records (PHRs) show promise in supporting self-management, potentially empowering patients and enhancing their engagement in treatment and health. However, implementation challenges persist. Objectives This study aimed to) assess the feasibility and usability of the PHR according to patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs), and 2) evaluate implementation determinants, and exploring preliminary effects on a range of outcomes related to the quality, efficiency, and costs of care, as well as health-related outcomes. Methods A mixed-methods study was conducted in a Dutch hospital. Quantitative data from 80 patients and 12 HCPs were collected via questionnaires at baseline (T0), after one (T1) and 2 years (T2). Focus group interview were conducted at T2 with 7 patients and 4 HCPs. Results Most patients never logged in during the first year and logged in a couple of times during the second year, with 15 minutes per log-in session. The HCPs mainly logged in a couple of times per year, averaging six minutes per session. Patients’ and HCPs’ usability and satisfaction scores were below average and moderate respectively. Various facilitators and barriers were identified, including knowledge gaps, staff capacity issues, and ICT obstacles. No significant differences were found in preliminary effects. Qualitative data highlighted benefits in terms of gaining insight into health data but revealed challenges with log-in issues and information retrieval. Conclusions Implementation challenges hindered PHR adoption. The evolving nature of PHRs requires ongoing evaluation and adaptation to optimize their potential benefits. Utilizing a participatory design approach and a dedicated implementation team could enhance adoption and maximize benefits. Key messages • A personal health record (PHR) for patients with MS was evaluated within the care setting of a Dutch hospital, demonstrating limited usability and moderate satisfaction. • Diverse obstacles impeded the adoption and uptake of the PHR, but potential solutions lie in continuous development with a participatory design approach and dedicated implementation team.

Using Geographic Momentary Assessment to Explore Spatial Environment Influences on Wellbeing in People With HIV.

Place-based socio-economic and racial inequities contribute to health disparities among people with HIV (PWH). We used geographic ecological momentary assessment (GEMA) methodologies to explore the interplay between psychosocial outcomes in daily diaries and community spatial measures among PWH in New Orleans. PWH (N = 69) were recruited from a clinic-based cohort study. Micro-longitudinal data were collected via smartphone-based daily diaries and geospatial tracking over 14 days. First, correlations were run between diary derived outcomes (e.g., feeling safe in current location, stress), and spatial measures (e.g., violent crime, alcohol outlets, and vacant lots) within a half-mile buffer around each diary point to understand the real time associations between mood and space. Next, we fit multilevel models, controlling for between-person effects, to assess within-person associations between accumulative spatial daily violence exposure (50m, 100m and 200m buffers), and measures of daily mood and coping. Violent crime, alcohol outlets and vacant lots were inversely correlated with feeling safe and positively correlated with perceived ease of obtaining drugs. Vacant lots were positively associated with stress and inversely correlated with positive mood. Within individuals, higher daily accumulated violence exposure was associated with increased rumination at the 50m buffer level, decreased trust in oneself and others at the 100m buffer, and decreased ratio of positive/negative mood at all buffers. Our results emphasize the intricate interplay between mental wellness, coping mechanisms, and spatial measures in PWH. Future research and interventions for PWH should consider how spatial factors may influence PWH in terms of mental health and care engagement.

We are wales: taking the hospital to the community - an engagement experiment

Abstract In Wales we are facing two major barriers to public health engagement. The first is describing our communities as ‘hard to reach’ when in public service we make little effort to reach them, and second, we do not consider in population level research or practice how we are perpetuating the sense of, and real, inequality in our communities that our work on social determinants of health and health inequalities seeks to address. In Wales we want to take the ‘hospital to the community’; to meet people where they are at, where they live and work and where they experience barriers to inclusion, discrimination, lack of trust and fear. ‘We are Wales’ is is built on the Museum of the United Nations concept of a global we - except we will start small with a small nation that as yet has not worked out how to include and involve everyone in our communities in the policy and practice decisions that may help, or hinder us all from leading a healthier, happier life. ‘We are Wales’ is a simple concept; it is about amplifying and connecting people who would not normally do so, because they do not have the resources or capacity to travel or take time out. It is about equal power in a connection to find solutions to adversity and trauma caused by structural inequality; it is about relationships, inclusion, kindness and compassion - and listening, sharing and taking action without judgement. We have taken a dome to communities in economically deprived areas of Wales and stimulated conversation between politicians, young people and communities around the concept of home. Using a virtual reality dome to project images to encourage discussion we have provided a safe space to amplify and include the voices of those who want to be heard and deserve to be listened to. Key messages • ‘Take the hospital to the community’ - meet people where they are at and feel safe. • power sharing and an equal place at the table stimulates ideas and knowledge change in a trauma-informed way.

4.A. Skills building seminar: Waves of community health engagement and governance: innovating through a design-as-policy approach

Abstract In this workshop we will engage our participants in a practice oriented exercise to experiment with a collaborative design-as-policy approach for a community health action plan. The exercise will be based on the lessons learned in two large evaluation projects: 1) an 8-year evaluation of the Dutch All about Health (AaH) platform of social health initiatives on the local, regional and national level; and 2) a comparative multiple case study, including Portugal, building a framework for sustainable citizen engagement, published in the WHO Handbook ‘Voice, Agency, Empowerment: The Handbook on Social Participation for UHC’. Both projects show striking similarities in findings, and developed guidance for devising collaborative action through (a) the use of community platforms, (b) concrete engagement mechanisms and (c) mediating civil society organizations. These will be brought together in a Guidance Tool that participants will work with in the exercise. The aim of the tool is to support initiatives to bring together both top-down participatory efforts and bottom-up grassroots movements in order to anchor community and minority voices into policy decision-making for a more level playing field for policy influence. The aim of the workshop is to let participants experiment with the Guidance Tool and develop collaborative design-as-policy skills. The outline of the skills building exercise: 1. Group introductions using Mentimeter and invitation to pick a particular complex health issue from participants’ own work or community setting (5 mins). 2. Three pitches on the projects, the Portugal case and the Guidance Tool (10 mins). 3. Exercise instructions (5 mins). 4. Exercise (35 mins) a. Upon room entrance participants receive a colored badge based on their professional background: public health professional/practitioner, community resident, researcher or policymaker; b. Form small sub groups of 6-8 participants with different backgrounds (2 mins); c. Introduce with key words on paper their respective complex community health issues and sub group jointly selects one issue for which most information and experience is present (6 mins); d. First round in duos within sub group: participants work through the guidance steps to an initial idea for the collaborative action approach consisting of a community platform, engagement mechanisms, and mediating civil society organizations, drawn out on paper (10 mins); e. Second round in duos within the sub group: duos review another duos initial design idea and conduct an intuitive SWOT analysis of feasibility, acceptability, and practicability (8 mins); f. Third round in sub group: compare the three proposals in SWOT perspective, select the most salient one, and improve with strong elements from other proposals (8 mins); g. Summarize in key words the final proposal and enter into Mentimeter. 5. Plenary wrap up using Mentimeter: select the winning proposal, and evaluate the exercise (5 mins). Key messages • Collaborative action is enhanced considerably through (a) the use of community platforms, (b) concrete engagement mechanisms and (c) mediating civil society organizations. • The Guidance Tool offers concrete steps for designing a reflexive and adaptive structure and process for community collaborative action and self-governance. Speakers/Panelists Marleen Bekker Wageningen University &amp; Research, Wageningen, Netherlands Dheepa Rajan WHO, Brussels, Belgium Goncalo Figueiredo Augusto National Health Council, Lisbon, Portugal

The Development of the Confianza Scale–Spanish: A Culturally Responsive Tool for Latine Relationship Building

AbstractLatines are the largest ethnic minority group in the United States, making up nearly one-fifth of the population. Despite experiencing similar rates of mental health issues as the dominant culture, however, Latines are notably less likely to seek treatment. Prior research has linked this reluctance to cultural mistrust, and some scholars have underscored the significance of confianza, a cultural value, in promoting Latine mental health engagement. Using a survey research methodology with a sample of 278 Latines, this study examines the psychometric properties and factor structure of the newly developed Confianza Scale–Spanish (CS-S), an instrument designed to quantitatively assess for confianza between clients and their mental healthcare providers. Study results provided initial evidence for the validity and reliability of the CS-S and indicated that confianza may be a single-factor construct. Clinical and research implications within the counseling field are discussed.

Dysmenorrhea in Polish Adolescent Girls: Impact on Physical, Mental, and Social Well-Being—Results from POLKA 18 Study

Background: Dysmenorrhea, characterised by painful menstrual cramps, is a pressing issue among adolescent girls globally. It significantly impacts their quality of life and has been associated with increased mental health issues and engagement in risky behaviours like smoking. In Poland, there is limited research on menstrual health, emphasising the need for a study to understand dysmenorrhea experiences and their impact on young menstruating individuals. Methods: This research project investigated the effects of dysmenorrhea on quality of life and school attendance, as well as its associations with non-communicable diseases, including mental health among adolescent girls in Poland. Additionally, the study examined risk factors for non-communicable disease development, including high-risk health behaviours and exposure to violence. The study utilised a cross-sectional design, administering self-reported questionnaires in high schools and vocational schools in six voivodeships (regions) in Poland. The analysis was performed using the R language in the Rstudio environment. p-value &lt; 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A significant percentage of respondents experienced heavy menstruation, irregularity, and pain. Adolescents with dysmenorrhea reported higher rates of school absenteeism, mental health issues (such as anxiety and panic attacks), and a higher likelihood of engagement in risk behaviours like smoking and illicit drug use. The study also identified associations between dysmenorrhea and experiences of violence, including sexual abuse and intimate partner violence, as well as links to self-harm and suicidal ideation. Conclusions: These findings contribute to understanding dysmenorrhea among Polish adolescent girls, emphasising the need for tailored interventions and support services. The study underscores the necessity of addressing menstrual health comprehensively, considering its impact on various aspects of young women’s lives and promoting their overall well-being.

Understanding consumer perception of a new product including apple pomace: The role of health, sustainability, and culinary engagement

The aim of the present study was to determine perception of a new product made with apple pomace including consumers from three different gastronomy cultures: Spain (Mediterranean), Poland (Central Europe), and Denmark (Nordic). The new product was mainly made from potato and apple pomace and had the typical texture of a savory snack (crisp-like), but it was characterized by its apple/sweet taste. Besides consumers from the aforementioned countries, a group of Foodies-consumers from 20 different nationalities participated in the study to determine potential differences on the product perception due to their high culinary knowledge/ingredients exposure. Over 600 consumers participated in the study. To segments consumers into different groups beyond nationality, the demographic questionnaire included the short version of the Food Choice Questionnaire, the Food Neophobia Scale, and questions on Dietary and Sustainability related habits. The hedonic response, as well as the intrinsic properties of the product (sweetness, sourness, saltiness, apple flavor, hardness, and crunchiness) were measured using Just-About-Right scales. Additional questions included assessment on the storytelling of the product, potential applications/consumption moments, and finally, the impact of adding a health (high in fiber) or a sustainable (made using by-products) claim. Analysis revealed variations in demographics across consumer groups, potentially influencing their perception of the new product. Including the question on applications/consumption moments of the new food, as well as gathering free words about the main aspects consumers valued about the food, were useful to better understand its potential in the market and design a proper communication strategy.