The effectiveness of podcasts in promoting health among young people: a scoping review

Abstract

Health-related podcasts have gained popularity as a digital medium for health promotion, particularly among young people; however, their remains uncertain. This scoping review synthesizes existing evidence on the role of podcasts in shaping young people's health engagement, focusing on four key dimensions of effectiveness: awareness, knowledge, behaviour change, and health outcomes. The review followed the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews framework, including a systematic search to identify peer-reviewed studies examining podcast interventions targeting individuals aged 14-26 years. Findings indicate that health-related podcasts are an engaging and accessible tool for young audiences, with strong evidence supporting their role in increasing health awareness and knowledge. However, evidence regarding their influence on behaviour change and long-term health outcomes is inconsistent. Podcasts that incorporated interactive elements, expert-driven content, or relatable narratives appeared more effective in sustaining engagement and facilitating knowledge retention. Additionally, variations in podcast length, content style, and delivery format may influence their effectiveness, though these factors remain underexplored. Despite methodological differences across studies, the findings highlight podcasts as a promising avenue for youth-centred health communication. By synthesizing current evidence, this review provides insights into the characteristics that contribute to effective health-related podcasts for young people and underscores their potential as an innovative tool for digital health promotion.

Keywords: digital health communication; health promotion; health-related podcasts; public health interventions; scoping review; young people.

Figure 1.

PRISMA flowchart.