Govt 'nudging' public towards good health

Health division spends £1.6m a year

Residents are being reminded their long-term health is in their own hands.

Government officials say eating well and exercising are the best ways to prevent chronic illness and early death - but concede they can't force people to look after themselves.

The DHSC's Public Health Directorate is given a budget of around £1.6 million per year - some of which is spent on initiatives like school awareness programmes and the Stoptober anti-smoking scheme.

Its new medium term strategy, which began in July, is focused more on 'nudging' individuals towards wellbeing instead of bombarding them with directions.

Dr Henrietta Ewart is the Director of Public Health: