Digital doctors in your ears? Study shows promise of health podcast boom

By StudyFinds Staff

ADELAIDE, Australia — In an era where people increasingly turn to digital media for health information, podcasts have emerged as a powerful tool for promoting wellness and healthy behaviors. An exciting new study from Australian researchers suggests these audio programs could be an effective way to deliver health education and inspire positive lifestyle changes — with some important caveats.

Recent years have seen an explosion in health-related podcasts covering everything from nutrition and fitness to mental wellbeing and chronic disease management. With global podcast listenership estimated to reach 505 million people in 2024, and current listeners averaging 9.0 hours of listening per week, researchers wanted to understand just how effective these audio programs are at actually improving health outcomes and behaviors.

In Australia alone, podcast consumption has grown significantly, with Nielsen data showing a 16% increase in 2024 from the previous year. Currently, 9.6 million Australians regularly tune into podcasts, from shows like ABC Listen’s Health Report to Mamamia’s But Are You Happy.

For the study, published in Digital Health, researchers conducted an extensive review of 50 published articles covering 38 unique studies involving over 5,000 participants. Their analysis revealed that health-focused podcasts achieved strong engagement levels and showed promise in several key areas, including improved health monitoring, knowledge gains, and positive behavioral changes related to nutrition and physical activity.

For instance, three studies examining dietary behaviors found that podcast listeners showed increased consumption of omega-3 rich foods and improved understanding of folate nutrition. When it came to physical activity, two studies demonstrated increased vigorous exercise and better self-monitoring of workout routines, while two others showed no significant changes.

The engagement statistics were particularly noteworthy. Studies reported podcast participation rates between 62% and 83%, with listeners averaging 103-124 minutes of health podcast consumption weekly. Many participants listened while at home (53.7%) or work (20.9%), seamlessly integrating health education into their daily routines.

“Health and wellbeing podcasts have the unique ability to convey a wide range of health topics to a variety of listeners, but in a very accessible way,” says lead researcher Beth Robins from the University of South Australia. “Not only are podcasts typically chatty and conversational – which makes them easy to listen to and understand – but they’re also available at the touch of a button, so they’re extremely convenient, portable, and can be listened to at any time of the day.”

However, the results weren’t universally positive. Three studies examining mental health outcomes like depression and anxiety showed no significant improvements from podcast interventions. Similarly, research on weight loss and fruit/vegetable consumption produced mixed results, with some studies showing improvements while others demonstrated no change.

The study populations were diverse, ranging from university students to older adults, with ages spanning from under 18 to over 73 years. Some podcasts were used independently, while others were integrated with supporting technologies like mobile apps and online materials. Individual episodes typically ran between 30 seconds and 24 minutes in length.

This flexibility in consumption appears to be a key factor in their success. Whether listeners are relaxing at home or walking their dogs, they can engage with health content on their own terms. This adaptability aligns with growing consumer demands for health resources that can fit into individual lifestyles.

Dr. Ben Singh, a researcher involved in the study, emphasizes that the high engagement rates with health podcasts give them an advantage over other public health interventions. “From this study, we know that podcasts are highly valued for their authenticity and reliability, as well as their impactful, experience-focussed, and narrative-driven content,” he explains.

Paper Summary
Methodology Explained
The researchers conducted what’s called a “scoping review” – a systematic way of mapping out existing research on a topic. They searched multiple scientific databases for studies published since 2004 that examined health-related podcasts. Each study was carefully screened against specific criteria, with researchers extracting relevant data about study design, participants, podcast content, and outcomes. The team then analyzed this information to identify patterns and draw conclusions about podcast effectiveness.

Key Results
The analysis revealed several positive outcomes from health podcast use, including improved nutrition knowledge and behaviors, increased physical activity in some cases, and better disease management understanding. Engagement levels were notably high, with many participants consistently listening to assigned podcasts. However, results varied across different health areas – while some studies showed clear benefits for physical health measures, others found no significant impact on mental health outcomes.

Study Limitations
The researchers note several important limitations. Many of the analyzed studies were relatively small and short-term, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about long-term effectiveness. There was also significant variation in how different studies measured outcomes, making direct comparisons challenging. Additionally, the review only included English-language publications, potentially missing relevant research in other languages.

Discussion and Takeaways
The findings suggest that health podcasts have significant potential as tools for public health promotion, particularly when they combine engaging personal narratives with credible medical information. The high engagement rates indicate that podcasts may be an especially accessible format for health education. However, the mixed results across different health outcomes suggest that podcasts might be more effective as part of a broader health intervention strategy rather than as standalone solutions.

Funding and Disclosures
The research was supported by multiple Australian institutions, including funding from the Alliance for Research in Exercise Nutrition and Activity (ARENA) Research Centre at the University of South Australia and a Medical Research Future Fund Emerging Leader Grant. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Publication Information
This study, titled “Podcasts as a tool for promoting health-related behaviours: A scoping review,” was published in Digital Health journal on October 13, 2024. The research was conducted by Bethany Robins, Tessa Delaney, Carol Maher, and Ben Singh from various Australian research institutions.