The government and the NHS have unveiled a fresh Healthy Choices Quiz that pledges to help Brits enhance their mood and vitality whilst supporting the NHS in moving from treating illness to preventing it. Whilst ministers claim it could assist millions of Britons, critics have condemned the launch coming just two days ahead of the Budget on November 26. Mixed reactions have branded it “tone deaf” and “simplistic…but welcome”.
The Healthy Choices Quiz requires approximately five minutes to finish and aims to provide people throughout England with personalised steps to improve their health, mood and energy. It features questions covering nutrition, movement, smoking and sleep.
After answering all of the questions, users receive an overall rating out of 10 alongside bespoke guidance. The mobile-friendly quiz aims to pinpoint what lifestyle modifications a person can implement to become healthier and direct them to NHS resources supporting such changes.
Research from University College London suggests that 19 million adults in their middle years could enhance their mood through making a healthy adjustment. Boosting physical activity can improve mental wellbeing within just four weeks.
Health Minister Ashley Dalton said: “Taking this quick and easy quiz could be the first step for people to live healthier and happier lives.
“We’re doing our part to cut smoking, obesity and provide better mental health support – this quiz gives people the chance to help themselves by taking advantage of expert NHS advice at the touch of a screen.
“This simple, free and easily available quiz will bring expert NHS advice to your fingertips as part of our 10 Year Health Plan to move from treating sickness to preventing it.”
The quiz has been backed by big names like Alcohol Change UK, Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation.
However, some have pointed out that the quiz alone “isn’t enough”. Dell Stanford, Senior Dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We also need to create a healthier environment where nutritious, affordable options are the easiest choice for everyone.”
The quiz has faced criticism, especially as it was launched just two days before Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to deliver her annual Budget speech, causing worry for many Brits.
Sarah Gatford, Director at Sarah Gatford Ltd, commented: “I scored 9/10. Sounds brilliant. Except my score tells you precisely nothing about my actual well-being. There’s no nuance here. No consideration of context, circumstances or the messy reality of people’s lives.
“If you’re genuinely struggling – anxious about money, caring responsibilities, job insecurity – a five-minute quiz and generic NHS links won’t cut through. The timing feels particularly tone deaf.”
Sam Kirk, Managing Director at J-Flex Rubber Products, remarked: “Nothing lifts the nation’s mood quite like a quiz from the people who caused half the stress in the first place.”
Colette Mason, Author & AI Consultant at Clever Clogs AI, commented: “Mental health care is buckling under the strain…This approach to healthier choices and better self-management skills, however simplistic now, has to be welcomed. Let’s stop fixing broken people. Help them sooner.”