What public health interventions do people in Canada prefer to fund? A discrete choice experiment
Date
2022
Authors
Card, Kiffer G.
Adshade, Marina
Hogg, Robert S.
Jollimore, Jody
Lachowsky, Nathan J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Public Health
Abstract
Objective: To assess public support of tailored and targeted public health interventions for marginalized
communities.
Methods: We conducted a discrete choice experiment using a web-based survey advertised to Facebook and
Instagram users living in Canada, aged > 16. Participants were asked to choose between funding two hypothetical
public health programs. Each program was described by its purpose; expected increase in life expectancy; and target
audience. Demographically weighted generalized linear mixed-effects models were constructed to identify program
factors associated with program selection.
Results: Participants completed up to 8 discrete choice comparison exercises each resulting in 23,889 exercises were
completed by 3054 participants. Selected programs were less likely to focus on prevention (vs. treatment). For each
1-year increase in the marginal years of life gained, there was a 15% increase in the odds of a program being selected.
Interventions tailored to marginalized communities or targeting stigmatized health conditions were less likely to be
selected compared to interventions targeted to the general population or targeting chronic health conditions. Noteworthy
exceptions included an increased preference for interventions aligning with the perceived needs or cultural
expectations for marginalized communities.
Conclusions: Stigmatizing perceptions of health conditions and key populations likely influence public health programming
preferences of Canadians.
Public health implications: Informational campaigns highlighting disparities experienced by marginalized populations
may improve support for targeted and tailored interventions.
Description
Keywords
Public Health, Interventions, Marginalized Communities, Public Opinion, Discrete Choice Experiments
Citation
Card, K. G., Adshade, M., Hogg, R. S., Jollimore, J., & Lachowsky, N. J. (2022). “What public health interventions do people in Canada prefer to fund? A discrete choice experiment.” BMC Public Health, 22(1178). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13539-5