Public Health England
Mobile technology helping to encourage healthier lifestyles across the nation
Public Health England (PHE) has long been at the forefront of improving the health and wellbeing of the nation’s population.
As of recent years, there has been a significant shift in the way people engage with healthcare and wellbeing. With 82% of the population online and the proliferation of mobile technology, including smartphones and wearable devices, PHE has turned to digital tools, behavioral science insights, and innovative mobile apps to engage and support individuals in making healthier choices on a massive scale.
They employed Vidatec to develop and deploy health-focused apps that target key public health priorities such as tackling obesity, reducing smoking and harmful drinking, and ensuring that every child has the best start in life.
The Challange
Public Health England identified several persistent and wide-reaching health challenges that demanded attention, with a particular focus on four key areas highlighted in the ‘From Evidence Into Action’ report:
Tackling Obesity
Reducing Smoking
Reducing Harmful Drinking
Ensuring Every Child Has the Best Start in Life
PHE faced a challenge: how to reach and motivate large sections of the population—especially those who were difficult to engage through traditional channels such as face-to-face health campaigns or printed materials.
The Approach
Vidatec worked closely with the team at PHE to develop a series of tools that guide users on a journey to better health and change behaviours long term.
A few key apps developed under PHE’s initiative include:
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EasyMeals: An app designed to promote healthier eating by providing meal planning resources, healthy recipe suggestions, and nutritional tips. It aimed to make healthy eating more accessible and convenient for individuals, particularly those who may struggle with cooking or lack knowledge about nutrition.
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Quit Smoking App: This app provided a digital support system for individuals attempting to quit smoking. By leveraging behavioral science techniques such as goal setting, progress tracking, and personalized messaging, it helped users stay motivated and track their success.
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Drink Free Days App: This app was created to encourage individuals to cut back on their alcohol consumption by promoting alcohol-free days. It allowed users to track their drinking habits, set personal goals, and receive reminders and motivational content to stay on track.
The Final Result
Public Health England’s strategic pivot to digital and mobile health solutions, in collaboration with Vidatec, has demonstrated the power of technology to address pressing public health challenges on a large scale. By embracing digital tools and behavioral science insights, PHE has successfully engaged individuals in their health journeys, empowering them to make healthier decisions and adopt sustainable habits.
The success of initiatives like C25K, EasyMeals, Quit Smoking, and Drink Free Days represents a significant step forward in reducing health inequalities and improving overall public health. As digital tools continue to evolve, PHE’s continued investment in innovation will likely play a crucial role in tackling the next generation of public health challenges.
Senior Product Owner
Public Health England
