New data from healthcare giant STADA has revealed the UK’s shocking attitudes to personal hygiene this winter as the NHS issues a "flu jab SOS".
With the worst strain of the common cold increasing, and two new variants of Covid-19 on the rise, the findings reveal that almost a third (27 per cent) of Brits don’t maintain good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands or brushing their teeth, both of which can impact the spread of infection.
Men fare even worse, with one in three (33 per cent) admitting they don’t maintain good hygiene habits, compared to just 21 per cent of women.
These findings are just some of the revelations in the 2025 STADA Health Report, which independently surveyed more than 27,000 people from 22 countries, including 2,001 aged between 18 and 99 in the UK.
The news comes as the UK marks National Self-Care Week - an annual awareness campaign that focuses on embedding support for self-care across communities, families and future generations.
The research also found that, in the UK, the Welsh claim to be the worst for having good hygiene practices, with 30 per cent confessing that they neglect simple things like washing their hands to kill germs. Scotland doesn’t fare much better at 27 per cent. Northern Ireland is the most hygienic with only 17 per cent not having good hygiene practices.
Preventative Checks – UK can do better
However, it’s not just hygiene that is scoring low. One third (37 per cent) of Brits rate their overall physical health as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’, and 39 per cent rate their overall lifestyle as ‘unhealthy’ or ‘very unhealthy’.
Similarly, uptake of preventative health checks is low, with just 39 per cent of Brits attending all of them, with men (30 per cent) and young people (18 per cent) aged 18-24-years-old, lagging behind the most.
Older people are the most likely to attend checkups, with over half (57 per cent) of 55-70-year-olds attending all preventative health checks that they are offered. In younger age groups, of 35-54-year-olds (37 per cent) and 18-34-year-olds (20 per cent), uptake is much lower.
Men are also falling behind, with just one in three (30 per cent) men attending their checks ups, compared to one in two (47 per cent) women.
While many overlook the simple steps to stay well, the report shows that pharmacists remain a trusted source of advice. More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of people say they trust their pharmacist either ‘quite well’ or ‘completely’, second only to GPs (74 per cent).
Craig Shaw, managing director for STADA Thornton & Ross, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic taught us a lot and put hygiene front and centre, but the findings from our STADA Health Report give us concern that many of us are slipping back into old, poor habits. It’s well documented that washing your hands is one of the easiest ways of stopping the spread of illnesses.
“Prevention is key, and self-care can help reduce the pressure on the NHS at the toughest, germ-packed time of the year as winter sets in.
“Attend those health-checks, get your flu jabs. And remember your local pharmacist is a fantastic source of advice and the products you need should you catch a cold or cough.”
Simple hygiene tips
- Handwashing: When someone coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets carrying germs can land on nearby surfaces. Touching those objects and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth allows germs to enter the body and cause illness, and they can just as easily be passed on to others. According to NHS guidance, washing hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is one of the most effective ways to remove germs and stop infections from spreading.
- Oral health: Good oral hygiene also plays a part in preventing illness. The mouth can harbour bacteria that may contribute to coughs, colds, and even respiratory infections. Poor oral health, including gum disease or tooth decay, can increase the risk of bacteria spreading from the mouth to the lungs. Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste helps to protect against gum disease and maintain overall health.
1 NHS England https://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/11/nhs-issues-flu-jab-sos-with-worst-ofwinter-only-weeks-away/
2 UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/
3 National Health Services (NHS) https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
4 The Oral Health Foundation https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/five-conditions-that-can-beaffected-by-poor-oral-health
