Researchers recently launched the SANGYAN digital health literacy platform to combat the growing infodemic and misinformation surrounding COVID-19. This multilingual podcast provides evidence-based health information in a simple and accessible format. Consequently, it aims to empower individuals with the knowledge needed to make informed health decisions. By integrating principles of social cognitive theory, the platform offers a portable and cost-effective solution for health education.

Impact of the Digital Health Literacy Platform

The study evaluated the platform among 500 participants from both rural and urban backgrounds in India. Interestingly, 76.8% of these individuals initially exhibited poor health literacy. However, after engaging with the SANGYAN podcast, users reported high satisfaction levels. Specifically, 97.6% of participants successfully obtained the desired information from the platform. This indicates that the digital health literacy platform can effectively bridge communication gaps even among populations with lower literacy levels.

The mean System Usability Scale (SUS) score reached 70.9, which indicates good overall usability. Notably, younger participants aged 18 to 24 gave the platform its highest mean scores of 81.2. This finding suggests that while digital tools are broadly effective, they resonate particularly well with younger, tech-savvy demographics. Furthermore, the multilingual nature of the content ensures that diverse linguistic groups across India can benefit from these clinical insights. The platform’s success in both the Rural Health Training Center and urban hospital settings proves its versatility.

Addressing Health Misinformation in India

Misinformation during the pandemic caused significant public health challenges. The SANGYAN platform utilizes information processing theory to structure its audio content effectively. By providing concise and credible information, it helps mitigate the spread of false claims regarding infectious diseases. Therefore, such digital interventions represent a vital strategy for large-scale health education and community engagement. Future implementations could expand this model to address various chronic conditions beyond the pandemic.

FAQs

What is the primary purpose of the SANGYAN platform?

The platform aims to enhance health literacy and provide evidence-based information to combat misinformation regarding COVID-19 and other health conditions through multilingual podcasts.

Is the SANGYAN podcast effective for rural populations?

Yes, the study included a significant number of rural participants and found that the platform successfully reached and informed diverse individuals, regardless of their geographic location.

Who showed the highest satisfaction with the tool?

While users across all age groups found the tool useful, the highest usability scores were recorded among younger adults aged 18 to 24 years.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Refer to the latest local and national guidelines for clinical practice.

References

Joshi A et al. Implementation and User Evaluation of the SANGYAN Digital Health Platform to Enhance Knowledge About COVID-19 and Other Health Conditions: Quasi-Experimental Study. JMIR Infodemiology. 2026 May 07. doi: 10.2196/67504. PMID: 42096708.

Joshi A et al. Digital Health Intervention (SANGYAN Podcast) to Enhance Knowledge Related to COVID-19 and Other Health Conditions: Protocol for an Implementation and Evaluation Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2025 Jan 20;14:e41175. doi: 10.2196/41175.

Hernandez-Garcia I, Gimenez-Julvez T. Characteristics of YouTube Videos in Spanish on How to Prevent COVID-19. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(13):4671.