Identifying early adopters of drone food delivery services to inform public health policy

Drone food delivery (DFD) services are expected to become widely available in the not-too-distant future, potentially increasing unhealthy food accessibility and consumption. This study aimed to explore likely uptake rates and identify population segments that are most likely to use these services. An online survey was completed by 1078 Australian adults in January 2023. Respondents viewed a scenario describing a world in which DFD services are readily available and asked whether they anticipated using them. A health composite score was calculated based on whether participants met recommended levels for vegetable and fruit consumption and physical activity. Descriptive analyses were conducted, and a binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with intentions to use DFD services. Thirteen percent of participants reported intending to use these services, with greater intentions found among younger respondents, those with lower health composite scores, and those who currently use (vs. do not use) fast food delivery services. Policy preparedness is vital before DFD services become commonplace and potentially unhealthy habits are formed. Timely regulatory measures are likely to be necessary to mitigate any potential negative public health consequences.