Recent evidence highlights the growing role of QR codes in clinical and community health contexts. In Australian general-practice settings, QR-enabled posters have enabled visitors to privately access digital health information while waiting for appointments, offering convenience, discretion, and the ability to revisit materials later¹. Similarly, research in European healthcare environments has demonstrated that QR-based health promotion in waiting rooms enhanced engagement and usability, with most participants reporting positive experiences, regardless of digital literacy².

Beyond healthcare settings, QR integration within public and out-of-home (OOH) media has broadened opportunities for linking analogue awareness with digital action. Studies of digital and ambient communication formats indicate that technology-enabled OOH media can heighten audience attention and engagement by leveraging contextual factors such as timing, location, and message relevance³. This responsiveness is particularly relevant for health communication, where engagement often depends on immediate relevance and ease of access. Communication research consistently emphasises that relevance, achieved through tailored or targeted message delivery, is a primary determinant of cognitive processing and behavioural intention⁴. QR systems operationalise this principle by connecting diverse audiences directly to language- or topic-specific content, minimising cognitive load and enhancing perceived personal value.

For culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, QR-enabled engagement can also address inequities in access to health information, including text-heavy or English-only communications, with community research recommending interactive ICT approaches, including mobile platforms, to reduce barriers⁵. Controlled trials have shown that providing QR codes linked to multilingual resources increases participation⁶, with systematic reviews of digital-health adoption confirming that cultural and linguistic tailoring is critical to ensuring equitable uptake and sustained engagement among CALD and First Nations populations⁷.

Ultimately, as digital engagement becomes increasingly integral to public health strategy, QR technology has emerged as a practical mechanism for strengthening inclusivity and engagement in public health communication, effectively linking physical environments with tailored digital resources. Most notably, by integrating accessibility, privacy, and cultural adaptability, it ensures vital health messages reach diverse audiences more equitably and meaningfully.