A new survey commissioned by Holland & Barrett shows that Britons face daily barriers to achieving their health ambitions and are trapped in a “reactive repair culture”. But the health food retailer says that trusted high street brands have an opportunity to help people access earlier support outside traditional clinical settings. 

The 60-page report, titled From Reactive Repair to Proactive Maintenance: The State of the Nation’s Health 2026, was conducted for the health food retailer by Ipsos. Over 5,000 UK adults aged 16-75 were surveyed to examine where they felt confident  taking action when it comes to their own health and wellbeing, and where gaps remain.

The study reveals that:

• 74% agree that establishing good health and wellbeing habits now is key to preventing illness in the future.
• However, 45% are only proactive with their health when something goes wrong, despite 59% planning to focus more on their health and wellbeing in the next year.
• 37% report finding it difficult to know what their body needs, highlighting gaps in clear, trusted and practical advice.
• 78% of the public say they only go to the doctor when it is “absolutely necessary”.
• Holland & Barrett says accessibility is a key barrier, with many unable to turn intention into action.

Holland & Barrett says that as pressure on GP surgeries and A&E continues to grow, there is an opportunity for trusted high street brands to help people access earlier, community-based support outside traditional clinical settings and provide science-led and personalised advice to help people better understand their bodies. 

Wellness gap
Anthony Houghton, Group CEO, said: “This latest report reveals a stark reality. Whilst the nation has an ambition to live healthier lives, they are being held back by the barriers keeping them from turning this into reality, creating a significant ‘wellness gap’ with an urgent need for health and wellness to be made more accessible and addressing the lack of clear, actionable and personalised advice.”

Access to healthcare is also perceived as an increasingly postcode lottery. While 56% of Londoners say it is easy to access healthcare locally, the study revealed this drops to 34% in Northern Ireland and 39% in the East Midlands and South East. Nationally, just under half (45%) say access is easy, while 28% find it difficult.

High street’s vital role 
Houghton added: “The high street has a vital role to play in narrowing the gap and making health and wellness accessible for everyone. At Holland & Barrett, we’re evolving into a destination for preventative health and everyday health and wellness support. By acting as a trusted, non-clinical partner, we can provide the science-led, personalised support needed to turn complicated health data into simple, everyday actions – relieving pressure on our NHS and wider health systems and making preventative health a reality for everyone, regardless of their postcode.”

In response to the findings, Holland & Barrett is launching its ‘Back Your Body’ commitment, supported by a new national campaign with a UK & Ireland call to action across all media channels, including a TV advert and brand campaign, to help people understand what their bodies are asking for. Through this, the retailer says it is committing to expanding access to wellness advice, education and support to at least 10 million people annually by 2030 through community programmes, charity partnerships, and in-store, online and digital services.

The initiative aims to position the business as a ready-built national prevention partner, supporting the Government’s ambition to enable healthier lives. With its national store footprint and network of Wellness Champions, supported by over 500,000 hours of UK-accredited training, the retailer claims it well placed to help deliver proactive, personalised health advice and support at scale.

The State of the Nation’s Health 2026 report can be read in full here: https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/info/state-of-the-nation/