BBC Radio 4 LW

Sugaring the Pill

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

26/10/2010

BBC Radio 4 - Sugaring the Pill

The NHS is paying people to be healthy. But does it really work? Claudia Hammond reports.

The idea of paying people to adopt healthy behaviours is gaining momentum within the NHS in Britain. But does rewarding people with money really work? Claudia Hammond reports.

In the past few years NHS-funded schemes have sprung up, offering financial incentives in the form of shopping vouchers to encourage people to be more healthy. 

The schemes target a whole range of behaviours, from quitting smoking and eating less to getting teenagers to turn up for a Chlamydia test or a vaccine.

Mexico, the US and parts of Europe have already used financial incentives to promote health. Now NICE is seeking views from the British public on whether we think it's acceptable for the NHS to do the same.

But does paying people to be healthy work? Claudia Hammond assesses the evidence and makes a discovery that astonishes her.

In one completely unexpected area of healthcare - drug addiction - shopping vouchers are proving to be not only effective, but cost effective too.

But a Department of Health spokesperson has said that financial incentives 'should only be used as a last resort' to promote health.

The Director of the National Addiction Centre, Professor John Strang, disagrees. When it comes to addiction, 'it's bordering on negligent not to be willing to do that'. 

Producer: Beth Eastwood.

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