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PEER+: Establishing a community of practice to support delivery of peer-based health promotion programs to increase meaningful participation of underserved populations.

Peer-based approaches can effectively reach underserved populations by providing informal health education, facilitating discussions and acting as role models within social networks. Trusted peers can address health and related social issues with populations who may be underserved by traditional healthcare.

Peer approaches mutually benefit peers and participants by enhancing self-efficacy, fostering community and promoting meaningful participation. Despite these strengths, gaps in theoretical models, evidence and evaluation frameworks limit the potential of peer-based programs, particularly for underserved populations. These gaps risk overburdening peers, funding challenges, and premature program cessation.

This project aims to address these gaps by enhancing the evidence base for peer-based programs and establishing a Community of Practice to support sustainable and effective peer-based health promotion.

Project summary: This project aims to support Western Australian health promotion organisations to increase meaningful participation in peer-based health promotion by underserved populations, specifically young people, LGBTIQA+ people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, via establishing and piloting a capacity-building Community of Practice, PEER+.

Who is involved?

Project Officer: Laura Thum
Project Supervisors: A/Prof Jonathan Hallett & A/Prof Gemma Crawford

Ethics approval: Approved 21 July 2025

Project Funding: This project has been funded by Healthway as part of the Australian Health Promotion Association WA 2025/26 Scholarships Program for a period of 12-months.

Program Activities

Established PEER+ Advisory Group (n=9). Membership comprised peer work professionals with lived experience and health promotion practitioners experienced in the delivery of peer-based programs.
Scoping literature review to explore the frameworks, models, and tools used for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of peer-based health promotion programs.
Semi-structured interviews (n=9) conducted with practitioners, program coordinators, managers and researchers working across peer-based health promotion in Australia.
Webinar hosted with AHPA WA exploring how peer-led approaches can strengthen and enhance health promotion practice across diverse settings. Access the session recording below.