Developing HealthyHomes.Gov Through User-Centered Design

Theoretical Background and research questions/hypothesis: HealthyHomes.gov is a new cross-government Web site that is currently under development. The vision for the site is:

• An easy-to-use, one-stop-shop for actionable information and tools
• User-centered, consumer-focused, and action-oriented
• Targeted to consumers, specifically parents and lower-middle-income groups (other key audiences will be added in future iterations)

The development and maintenance of HealthyHomes.gov is based on a user-centered design (UCD) process. UCD is a method for developing Web sites that involves users as co-creators in every step of the design. In addition, the content and design for the site is based on usability and health literacy principles and best practices. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the UCD process for developing HealthyHomes.gov with an emphasis on the results from focus group and card sort studies and the related design implications. Panel attendees will also get a sneak preview of the site.  

Methods: The site is being developed though incorporating a variety of UCD methods including:  

• Six focus groups with consumers (n = 48)
• Interviews with healthy home intermediaries, such as CDC & HUD grantees and key nonprofit groups (n = 13)
• Card sort interviews with consumers (n = 16)
• Prototype testing with consumers (n = 16)
• Usability testing with consumers (n = 16)

Consumer studies are being conducted with lower to middle income parents who have children living in the home; participants include a mix of renters and homeowners. 

Results:  Some key findings from the focus groups include:

• Health and safety are different and separate concepts in people’s minds.
• Participants want to obtain tailored information based on the age of family members, renter vs. homeowner, and type of house.
• Resources must be easy to personalize and share with others.
• Participants expressed a strong interest in do-it-yourself videos and specific action steps.
• Renters want to know their rights and have the ability to find local regulations.

 Some key findings from the card sorting study include:

• Most frequently created categories by participants (actual labels varied):  
  • Home maintenance and services
  • Home and general safety
  • Safety and children
  • Chemicals and poisons
  • Renters and homeowners
  • Fire
  • Emergency
  • Asthma and allergies and health            
  • Pests
  • Happy, healthy home

• Most participants placed at least one topic in multiple groups (groups were not mutually exclusive).
• The majority of participants did not make the connection between asthma and allergies and triggers such as mold, clutter, and pests.

Conclusions:  The focus groups and card sort studies provide a foundation for content, features, and an organizational structure for HealthyHomes.gov that will be useful and intuitive for users. 

Implications for research and/or practice:  Based on participant feedback, the site will include features such as: personalized information, ways to find local resources, stories and testimonials, and how-to videos. In addition, the information architecture for the site will be topic driven with multiple ways to search and access content. The presenters will demonstrate many of these user-driven features during the presentation.