Building inclusive health education: innovative approaches to reach marginalized communities

Purpose This study investigated the determinants of inclusive health education for marginalized communities that continue to face structural, cultural and technological barriers to accessing quality health information. It examined how digital innovation, cultural responsiveness and community participation jointly influenced inclusive health outcomes and identified strategies for designing contextually grounded, equity-oriented health education models. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional research design to examine the determinants of inclusive health education among marginalized communities. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis and inferential techniques. Measurement reliability and sampling adequacy were confirmed through Cronbach’s alpha coefficients (a = 0.85–0.91) and the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test (0.86). Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to assess the influence of digital innovation, cultural responsiveness and community participation on inclusive health outcomes, while Independent Samples t-tests were used to examine differences across gender and geographical context. All analyses were conducted at a 95% confidence level. Findings The results demonstrated that inclusive health education interventions enhanced health literacy, preventive behaviours and community engagement among marginalized groups. Culturally adapted interventions improved trust and behavioural adherence, while community participation strengthened relevance and sustainability. However, disparities persisted, particularly between urban and rural populations due to digital access challenges, economic vulnerabilities and infrastructural limitations. Research limitations/implications The generalisability of the findings was limited by the use of cross-sectional data and reliance on self-reported measures. Future research may employ longitudinal designs to examine the long-term sustainability and impact of inclusive health education interventions. Practical implications The study offered evidence-based guidance for policymakers, educators and practitioners. Recommendations included addressing the digital divide, embedding cultural sensitivity in program design and institutionalizing community-led delivery models. These strategies supported scalable and resilient frameworks for equitable health education. Social implications The study holds strong social implications by illustrating how inclusive health education can reduce inequities and empower marginalized communities through culturally responsive pedagogy, digital health tools and community-driven approaches. By improving health literacy, strengthening trust in healthcare systems and fostering community participation, these models transform vulnerable populations into active agents of change rather than passive recipients of information. Such approaches not only enhance preventive health behaviours and intergenerational knowledge-sharing but also contribute directly to advancing SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Ultimately, inclusive health education serves as a pathway to breaking cycles of disadvantage, promoting equity and building resilient, healthier societies. Originality/value This research offered a novel integrated framework that empirically demonstrated the combined effects of digital innovation, cultural responsiveness and community participation on inclusive health education outcomes. By providing robust quantitative evidence, the study advanced understanding of how multi-dimensional strategies could reduce systemic inequities and improve health education access among marginalized communities.