Authors :
Feyikemi Akinyelure
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 7 - July
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3twmrt3a
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/4hmkk5rj
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jul1532
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.
Abstract :
Behavioural health is widely recognized as an important aspect of public health, influencing outcomes such as mental
well-being, chronic disease management, and community resilience. However, despite expanding volumes of behavioural health
data collected through clinical systems, internet platforms, and social services, public health policies frequently remain separated
from both these data and the lived realities of the communities they intend to serve. The aim of this review is to investigate how
behavioural health data can be applied to develop innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based public health policy. The findings
highlight that community-driven data gathered through participatory methods such as focus groups and citizen-generated
platforms provides useful context that improves the relevance and accuracy of behavioural health interventions. Advanced
analytics tools can help with real-time risk forecasting, intervention prioritization, and resource optimization, especially when
combined with clinical and advanced data sources. Furthermore, policy innovation in behavioural health necessitates technical
solutions; institutional capacity building, ethical data governance, and the political commitment to shift power and knowledge
within health institutions. Therefore, bridging the gap between behavioural health data and public health decision-making is a
strategic imperative.
Keywords :
Health Equity, Health Services, Policy Implementation, Public Health, Data-Driven Policy.
References :
- Abdul, K., & Olusegun, J. (2024). Public Health Policy and Innovations in Healthcare. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383312652_Public_Health_Policy_and_Innovations_in_Healthcare
- Ahmed, N., Saha, A. K., Al Noman, Md. A., Jim, J. R., Mridha, M. F., & Kabir, M. M. (2024). Deep learning-based natural language processing in human–agent interaction: Applications, advancements and challenges. Natural Language Processing Journal, 9, 100112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlp.2024.100112
- Amaro, H., Sanchez, M., Bautista, T., & Cox, R. (2021). Social vulnerabilities for substance use: Stressors, socially toxic environments, and discrimination and racism. Neuropharmacology, 188(188). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108518
- Atewologun, F., Adigun, O. A., Okesanya, O. J., Hassan, H. K., Olabode, O. N., Micheal, A. S., Ahmed, M. M., Ukoaka, B. M., Idris, N. B., Oso, T. A., & Lucero-Prisno, D. E. (2025). A comprehensive review of mental health services across selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa: assessing progress, challenges, and future direction. Discover Mental Health, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00177-7
- Basnet, H. B. (2018). FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION: A TOOL FOR QUALITATIVE INQUIRY. Researcher: A Research Journal of Culture and Society, 3(3), 81–88. https://doi.org/10.3126/researcher.v3i3.21553
- Bolton, P., West, J., Whitney, C., Jordans, M. J. D., Bass, J., Thornicroft, G., Murray, L., Snider, L., Eaton, J., Collins, P. Y., Ventevogel, P., Smith, S., Stein, D. J., Petersen, I., Silove, D., Ugo, V., Mahoney, J., Chammay, R. el, Contreras, C., & Eustache, E. (2023). Expanding mental health services in low- and middle-income countries: A task-shifting framework for delivery of comprehensive, collaborative, and community-based care. Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health, 10(16), e16. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2023.5
- Bosché, M., Krust, R., Fung, A., & Pawar, A. S. (2025). Exploring Democratic Deliberation in Public Health: Bridging Division and Enhancing Community Engagement. American Journal of Public Health, 115(4), 500–505. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2024.307998
- Burke-Garcia, A., Berktold, J., Rabinowitz, L., Wagstaff, L., W. Thomas, C., Crick, C., Walsh, M. S., Mitchell, E. W., Verlenden, J. M. V., Puddy, R., Mercado, M. C., Xia, K., Aina, T., Caicedo, L., & Nelson, BA, P. (2022). Assessment of Mental Health and Coping Disparities Among Racial and Ethnic Groups Amid COVID-19 From the “How Right Now” Campaign. Public Health Reports, 138(1), 174–182. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549221121667
- Dailah, H. G., Koriri, M., Sabei, A., Kriry, T., & Zakri, M. (2024). Artificial Intelligence in Nursing: Technological Benefits to Nurse’s Mental Health and Patient Care Quality. Healthcare, 12(24), 2555–2555. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12242555
- Deivanayagam T. A., English, S., Hickel, J., Bonifacio, J., Guinto, R. R., Hill, K. X., Huq, M., Issa, R., Mulindwa, H., Heizal Patricia Nagginda, Priscila, Sujitha Selvarajah, Sharma, C., & Delan Devakumar. (2023). Envisioning environmental equity: climate change, health, and racial justice. The Lancet, 402(10395). https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(23)00919-4
- Erku, D., Khatri, R., Endalamaw, A., Wolka, E., Nigatu, F., Zewdie, A., & Assefa, Y. (2023). Community engagement initiatives in primary health care to achieve universal health coverage: A realist synthesis of scoping review. PLOS ONE, 18(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285222
- Galderisi, S., Appelbaum, P. S., Gill, N., Gooding, P., Herrman, H., Melillo, A., Myrick, K., Pathare, S., Savage, M., Szmukler, G., & Torous, J. (2024). Ethical challenges in contemporary psychiatry: an overview and an appraisal of possible strategies and research needs. PubMed, 23(3), 364–386. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21230
- Gautam, S., Jain, A., Chaudhary, J., Gautam, M., Gaur, M., & Grover, S. (2024). Concept of Mental Health and Mental well-being, it’s Determinants and Coping Strategies. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 66(Suppl 2), S231–S244. https://doi.org/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_707_23
- Gibson, L., Clinton-McHarg, T., Wilczynska, M., Latter, J., Bartlem, K., Henderson, C., Wiggers, J., Wilson, A., Searles, A., & Bowman, J. (2021). Preventive care practices to address health behaviours among people living with mental health conditions: A survey of Community Managed Organisations. Preventive Medicine Reports, 23, 101495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101495
- Haby, M. M., Ludovic Reveiz, Thomas, R., & Jordan, H. (2025). An integrated framework to guide evidence-informed public health policymaking. Journal of Public Health Policy, 46. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-024-00535-9
- Hood, S., Campbell, B., & Baker, K. (2023). Culturally Informed Community Engagement: Implications for Inclusive Science and Health Equity. In PubMed. RTI Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592587/
- Javaid, M., Haleem, A., & Singh, R. P. (2024). Health informatics to enhance the healthcare industry’s culture: An extensive analysis of its features, contributions, applications and limitations. Informatics and Health, 1(2), 123–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infoh.2024.05.001
- Kalungi, H., Onesmus Kamacooko, Jane Frances Lunkuse, Namutebi, J., Naluwooza, R., Price, M. A., Ruzagira, E., & Yunia Mayanja. (2024). Prevalence and factors associated with illicit drug and high-risk alcohol use among adolescents living in urban slums of Kampala, Uganda. BMC Public Health, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19250-x
- Kanyongo, W., & Ezugwu, A. E. (2023). Machine learning approaches to medication adherence amongst NCD patients: A systematic literature review. Informatics in Medicine Unlocked, 38, 101210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imu.2023.101210
- Khan, M. M., Shah, N., Shaikh, N., Thabet, A., Talal alrabayah, & Sirajeddin Belkhair. (2024). Towards secure and trusted AI in healthcare: A systematic review of emerging innovations and ethical challenges. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 195, 105780–105780. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105780
- Kirkbride, J. B., Anglin, D. M., Colman, I., Dykxhoorn, J., Jones, P. B., Patalay, P., Pitman, A., Soneson, E., Steare, T., Wright, T., & Griffiths, S. L. (2024). The social determinants of mental health and disorder: Evidence, prevention and recommendations. World Psychiatry : Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 23(1), 58–90. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21160
- Leong, Q. Y., Sridhar, S., Blasiak, A., Tadeo, X., Yeo, G., Remus, A., & Ho, D. (2022). Characteristics of Mobile Health Platforms for Depression and Anxiety: Content Analysis Through a Systematic Review of the Literature and Systematic Search of Two App Stores. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(2), e27388. https://doi.org/10.2196/27388
- Lima, I. B. de, Bernadi, F. A., Yamada, D. B., Vinci, A. L. T., Rijo, R. P. C. L., Alves, D., & Furegato, A. R. F. (2021). The use of indicators for the management of Mental Health Services. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 29. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.4202.3409
- Lu, X., & Lin, Z. (2021). COVID-19, Economic Impact, Mental Health, and Coping Behaviors: A Conceptual Framework and Future Research Directions. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(759974). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.759974
- Lyng, H. B., Macrae, C., Guise, V., Haraldseid-Driftland, C., Fagerdal, B., Schibevaag, L., Alsvik, J. G., & Wiig, S. (2021). Balancing Adaptation and Innovation for Resilience in Healthcare – a Metasynthesis of Narratives. BMC Health Services Research, 21(21), 759. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06592-0
- Maddah, N., Verma, A., Almashmoum, M., & Ainsworth, J. (2022). Effectiveness of Public Health Digital Surveillance Systems for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control at Mass Gatherings: A Systematic Review (Preprint). Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25. https://doi.org/10.2196/44649
- Mahomed, F. (2020). Addressing the Problem of Severe Underinvestment in Mental Health and Well-Being from a Human Rights Perspective. Health and Human Rights, 22(1), 35. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7348439/
- Mesquita, S., Lília Perfeito, Paolotti, D., & Gonçalves-Sá, J. (2025). Epidemiological methods in transition: Minimizing biases in classical and digital approaches. PLOS Digital Health, 4(1), e0000670–e0000670. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000670
- Moitra, M., Owens, S., Hailemariam, M., Wilson, K. S., Mensa-Kwao, A., Gonese, G., Kamamia, C. K., White, B., Young, D. M., & Collins, P. Y. (2023). Global mental health: Where we are and where we are going. Global Mental Health: Where We Are and Where We Are Going, 25(7). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-023-01426-8
- Monlezun, D. J., Omutoko, L., Oduor, P., Kokonya, D., Rayel, J., Sotomayor, C., Girault, M. I., De, E., Oleg Sinyavskiy, Aksamit, T., Dugani, S. B., Garcia, A., & Gallagher, C. (2025). Digitalization of health care in low- and middle-income countries. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 103(02), 148–154. https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.24.291643
- Morales, D. A., Barksdale, C. L., & Beckel-Mitchener, A. C. (2020). A call to action to address rural mental health disparities. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 4(5), 1–20. National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2020.42
- Muhoza, P., Saleem, H., Faye, A., Tine, R., Diaw, A., Kante, A. M., Ruff, A., & Marx, M. A. (2022). Behavioral Determinants of Routine Health Information System Data Use in Senegal: A Qualitative Inquiry Based on the Integrated Behavioral Model. Global Health: Science and Practice, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-21-00686
- Nayak, M. S. D. P., & Narayan, K. A. (2019). Strengths and Weakness of Online Surveys. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.9790/0837-2405053138
- Novilla, M. L. B., Goates, M. C., Leffler, T., Kenneth, N., Wu, C., Dall, A., & Hansen, C. (2023). Integrating social care into healthcare: A review on applying the social determinants of health in clinical settings. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(19), 6873–6873. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196873
- Noyes, J., Booth, A., Moore, G., Flemming, K., Tunçalp, Ö., & Shakibazadeh, E. (2020). Synthesising quantitative and qualitative evidence to inform guidelines on complex interventions: Clarifying the purposes, designs and outlining some methods. BMJ Global Health, 4(1). NCBI. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000893
- Nyoni, R. (2025). Harnessing Data Analytics for Predictive Insights: Advancing Decision-Making with Big Data Innovations. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 6(1), 2915–2936. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.6.0125.0502
- Oehring, D., & Gunasekera, P. (2024). Ethical Frameworks and Global Health: A Narrative Review of the “Leave No One Behind” Principle. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 61. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580241288346
- Okunade, B. A., Adediran, F. E., Maduka, C. P., & Adegoke, A. A. (2023). COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS IN AFRICA: A REVIEW AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR U.S. HEALTHCARE PRACTICES. International Medical Science Research Journal, 3(3), 68–91. https://doi.org/10.51594/imsrj.v3i3.621
- Paatela S., Kyytsönen M., Saranto K., Kinnunen, U.-M., & Vehko T. (2023). Experiences of electronic health records’ and client information systems’ use on a mobile device and factors associated with work time savings among practical nurses: A cross-sectional study (Preprint). Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26. https://doi.org/10.2196/46954
- Palinkas, L. A., Springgate, B., Cabassa, L. J., Shin, M., Garcia, S., Crabtree, B. F., & Tsui, J. (2025). Methods for community-engaged data collection and analysis in implementation research. Implementation Science Communications, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-025-00722-z
- Patterson, E. H., Miller, C., & Hannapel, M. (2025). Public psychology and holistic approaches to prevention and treatment of depression. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1600094
- Poddar, A., & Chhajer, R. (2024). Detection and disclosure of workplace mental health challenges: an exploratory study from India. BMC Public Health, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19422-9
- Popay, J., Halliday, E., Mead, R., Townsend, A., Akhter, N., Bambra, C., Barr, B., Anderson de Cuevas, R., Daras, K., Egan, M., Gravenhorst, K., Janke, K., Kasim, A. S., McGowan, V., Ponsford, R., Reynolds, J., & Whitehead, M. (2023). Investigating health and social outcomes of the Big Local community empowerment initiative in England: a mixed method evaluation. Public Health Research, 1–147. https://doi.org/10.3310/grma6711
- Powell, N., Dalton, H., Lawrence-Bourne, J., & Perkins, D. (2024). Co-creating community wellbeing initiatives: what is the evidence and how do they work? International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-024-00645-7
- Purtle, J., Nelson, K. L., Counts, N. Z., & Yudell, M. (2020). Population-Based Approaches to Mental Health: History, Strategies, and Evidence. Annual Review of Public Health, 41(1), 201–221. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040119-094247
- Ravaghi, H., Guisset, A.-L., Elfeky, S., Nasir, N., Khani, S., Ahmadnezhad, E., & Abdi, Z. (2023). A scoping review of community health needs and assets assessment: Concepts, rationale, tools and uses. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08983-3
- Rong, T., Ristevski, E., & Carroll, M. (2023). Exploring community engagement in place-based approaches in areas of poor health and disadvantage: A scoping review. Health & Place, 81(81), 103026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103026
- Russell, K., Rosenbaum, S., Varela, S., Stanton, R., & Barnett, F. (2023). Fostering community engagement, participation and empowerment for mental health of adults living in rural communities: a systematic review. Rural and Remote Health, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.22605/rrh7438
- Scheelbeek, P. F. D., Hamza, Y. A., Schellenberg, J., & Hill, Z. (2020). Improving the use of focus group discussions in low income settings. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-020-01168-8
- Shajari, S., Kuruvinashetti, K., Komeili, A., & Sundararaj, U. (2023). The emergence of AI-based wearable sensors for digital health technology: A review. Sensors, 23(23), 9498–9498. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23239498
- Silva, B., Bachelard, M., Amoussou, J. R., Martinez, D., Bonalumi, C., Bonsack, C., Golay, P., & Morandi, S. (2023). Feeling coerced during voluntary and involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation: A review and meta-aggregation of qualitative studies. Heliyon, 9(2), e13420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13420
- Singh, V., Kumar, A., & Gupta, S. (2022). Mental Health Prevention and Promotion—a Narrative Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13(13). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.898009
- Stein, O. A., & Prost, A. (2024). Exploring the Societal Implications of Digital Mental Health Technologies: A Critical Review. SSM - Mental Health, 6, 100373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100373
- Thakkar, A., Gupta, A., & De Sousa, A. (2024). Artificial intelligence in positive mental health: a narrative review. Frontiers in Digital Health, 6(1280235). https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1280235
- Tonne, C. (2021). Defining pathways to healthy sustainable urban development. Environment International, 146, 106236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.106236
- Torous, J., Bucci, S., Bell, I. H., Kessing, L. V., Faurholt‐Jepsen, M., Whelan, P., Carvalho, A. F., Keshavan, M., Linardon, J., & Firth, J. (2021). The Growing Field of Digital psychiatry: Current Evidence and the Future of apps, Social media, chatbots, and Virtual Reality. World Psychiatry, 20(3), 318–335. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20883
- Turyasiima M., Akot B. G., Makongwa I., Yusuf, H. M., & Epuitai, J. (2025). Addressing High Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Use Disorders Among Adolescents and Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: Pathways to Effective Action. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, Volume 16, 165–175. https://doi.org/10.2147/sar.s526190
- Wainberg, M. L., Scorza, P., Shultz, J. M., Helpman, L., Mootz, J. J., Johnson, K. A., Neria, Y., Bradford, J.-M. E., Oquendo, M. A., & Arbuckle, M. R. (2017). Challenges and Opportunities in Global Mental Health: a Research-to-Practice Perspective. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0780-z
Behavioural health is widely recognized as an important aspect of public health, influencing outcomes such as mental
well-being, chronic disease management, and community resilience. However, despite expanding volumes of behavioural health
data collected through clinical systems, internet platforms, and social services, public health policies frequently remain separated
from both these data and the lived realities of the communities they intend to serve. The aim of this review is to investigate how
behavioural health data can be applied to develop innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based public health policy. The findings
highlight that community-driven data gathered through participatory methods such as focus groups and citizen-generated
platforms provides useful context that improves the relevance and accuracy of behavioural health interventions. Advanced
analytics tools can help with real-time risk forecasting, intervention prioritization, and resource optimization, especially when
combined with clinical and advanced data sources. Furthermore, policy innovation in behavioural health necessitates technical
solutions; institutional capacity building, ethical data governance, and the political commitment to shift power and knowledge
within health institutions. Therefore, bridging the gap between behavioural health data and public health decision-making is a
strategic imperative.
Keywords :
Health Equity, Health Services, Policy Implementation, Public Health, Data-Driven Policy.