Co‐Creating Health Promotion Training With People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Participatory Action Research Study

BACKGROUND: People with intellectual disabilities face persistent health inequalities and limited access to health promotion services. Their perspectives are rarely included in service design. METHODS: This participatory action research (Jan 2024-Apr 2025) involved co-researcher and co-trainers in the development of a new health promotion training for professionals working in institutional contexts. An Inclusive and Participatory Educational Board guided four iterative steps: identifying needs, co-designing content, co-teaching training and evaluating outcomes. RESULTS: Findings revealed that people with intellectual disabilities prioritize holistic well-being, autonomy and personalized support, while professionals tend to focus on conventional health domains. Both groups highlighted needs spanning individual, social and structural levels. The co-creation process fostered inclusion and mutual learning but encountered logistical, communication and institutional challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Co-creation enhances the relevance, ethical grounding and equity of training in health promotion and prevention. Future efforts must improve inclusive communication, institutional coordination and formal recognition of service users' contributions.