Nudging in Health Care

Nudging in healthcare refers to subtle changes in how choices are presented to influence individuals’ decisions without restricting options. For example, placing healthier foods at eye level encourages better eating habits or automatically enrolling patients in wellness programs increases participation. The goal is to guide people toward healthier behaviors by making positive options more accessible and attractive, while still allowing free choice. It leverages behavioral science to improve health outcomes and optimize decision-making, often leading to more effective and efficient healthcare interventions without mandates or significant costs.