Background
Distribution of information related to behavioral medicine interventions is a public health challenge. One lead dissemination model includes four key constructs: the source (researchers); the audience (public health or clinical personnel impacted); the channel (ways by which information is shared); and the message (the language and content). Since dissemination science aims to change behavior at the system and setting levels, most models do not include the end-users’ preferences or information-seeking practices. This may inadvertently contribute to the scientific lag-time when information on the specific language, imagery, and cultural considerations is not sought before public health or clinical practice interventions begin. For example, certain populations may want to hear about behavioral health information in different ways from their counterparts. This is especially true of interventions that remain controversial in some populations and settings, such as yoga. Yoga is a comprehensive mind-body-spirit system that can improve population health, but misinformation abounds. Certain end users – such as those living in larger bodies or Black and Indigenous people of color (BIPOC)— are not receiving important information related to the relevance of yoga for their bodies and communities.

Methods
We collected open-ended survey data from a sample of potential yoga end-users to understand preferences for yoga health messages, sources, and channels. We shared infographic image sets with varying benefits of yoga to determine which health messages resonated with participants and how these messages might be improved.

Results
Participants (N = 150, mean age 36 years; 50% female; 54% BIPOC; 29% with larger body shapes), resulting in over 3800 meaning units of qualitative data. Desirable message features include more inclusive imagery, content that elicits feelings of calm, pragmatic information (e.g., accessibility), and content on yoga-specific benefits that do not “overpromise.”

Conclusions
Data from a large, representative survey provides concrete strategies for disseminating yoga health messages for diverse populations. Ongoing data analysis will lead to an overall dissemination model for ensuring potential practitioners, health providers, yoga industry affiliates, and yoga researchers are equipped with the desired information that affirms unity, connection, and belonging of yoga to their target populations.