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Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · ACI open 2025; 09(02): e54-e64
DOI: 10.1055/a-2695-8451
Research Article

Assessing a Digital Public Health Intervention: Survey Implementation and Analysis in Washington State Using an Address-Based Sample

Authors

  • Adam S. Elder

    1   Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States

  • Andrea R. Molino

    1   Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States

  • Rebecca A. Hills

    1   Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States

  • Debra Revere

    2   Department of Health Systems and Population Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States

  • Chris Baumgartner

    3   Department of Health, Washington State, Tumwater, United States

  • Bryant T. Karras

    3   Department of Health, Washington State, Tumwater, United States

  • Janet G. Baseman

    1   Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States

Funding This work was funded through an Interagency Agreement between the Washington State Department of Health and the University of Washington School of Public Health (Contract HED25742).
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Abstract

Background

In November 2021, the Washington State Department of Health launched WA Verify, a quick-response (QR) code-based tool that allows users to share their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine status using a mobile phone.

Objectives

This study aimed to gather an unbiased sample of Washington residents to collect information about their experiences and opinions on digital public health interventions, with a particular focus on WA Verify.

Materials and Methods

The WA Verify evaluation team designed and implemented a statewide survey using an address-based sample to assess respondents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19, WA Verify, and technology. To facilitate comparisons with known characteristics of the Washington State population, the survey included questions also found in state and national surveys and the U.S. Census. Weights based on demographic characteristics were developed to allow for weighted analyses in the future.

Results

The unweighted demographic distribution of respondents mostly matched that of the Washington State population, with the largest discrepancy in education; 58.9% of respondents reported having a four-year degree or higher versus 37.3% of the state population. Across race, education level, age and gender, there were differences in reported experiences with and views on requirements to provide vaccination verification and awareness and use of WA Verify.

Conclusion

Despite differences in experiences and views on WA Verify, there is broad interest in the tool, suggesting opportunities to expand its adoption. Data and information gathered with this survey, conducted using an address-based sample, provide a strong foundation for further analyses to inform public health interventions, particularly informatics-focused projects.

Keywords

smart phone - Electronic health records and systems - information assurance - public health - statistical methods - General information systems and technologies in clinical settings

Protection of Human and Animal Subjects

In June 2022, the UW Human Subjects Division (HSD) reviewed the WA Verify evaluation project (IRB ID: STUDY00015786) and determined it did not qualify as research under federal and state regulations, thus exempting it from UW IRB review. The WSU/SESRC IRB subsequently confirmed this exempt status.


Supplementary Material



Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 07. November 2024

Angenommen: 01. September 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
09. September 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
23. September 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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