Can you beat Northern Ireland's Health IQ? New data reveals how the nation compares with the rest of the UK
People in Northern Ireland recorded an average Health IQ score of 65.7 out of 110, placing them above the UK average of 63.8.
To establish the national average, Bluecrest polled 2,000 adults using the same questions featured in its online Health IQ quiz, which tests understanding of everyday topics such as nutrition, exercise, chronic conditions and preventative health.
Since launching last year, the free online tool has now been completed more than 13,000 times, revealing some surprisingly common gaps in health knowledge.
One of the questions people struggled with most asked about recommended calorie intake levels for UK adults, with more than 10,000 users answering incorrectly.
Many also failed to correctly identify how much weekly exercise adults should aim for, while more than half incorrectly answered a question on resistance exercise and bone health.
The average national score of 63.8 marks an improvement on last year’s result of 57.4, although nearly one in four adults (24%) still fall into the “developing” category for health knowledge. Only 21% achieve “expert” level understanding.
Younger adults appear to lag behind, with those aged 18–24 scoring an average of 57.5, compared to 68.6 among 25–34-year-olds.
There were also regional differences across the UK. Northern Ireland recorded an average Health IQ score of 65.7, placing it above the UK average of 63.8. London and the North East recorded the highest average scores (66.7), while Wales recorded one of the lowest (58.4).
The findings come at a time when more people are increasingly turning to online tools for health information. Separate polling by Bluecrest found nearly one in five (19%) now use AI chatbots to look up medical concerns, although only one in three (33%) feel confident spotting incorrect information.
Dr Martin Thornton, Chief Medical Officer at Bluecrest, said: “AI is quickly becoming part of how people check their symptoms, but there’s a clear disconnect between how often it’s being used and how much it’s actually trusted.
“What’s concerning is that many people aren’t confident they can tell when the information they’re seeing is wrong, which means they’re navigating their health with tools they don’t fully understand.
“Ultimately, technology can support people, but it can’t replace a solid understanding of your own health. Building that knowledge is what allows people to question what they read, make better decisions, and know when to seek proper medical advice.”
Dominique Kent, CEO at Bluecrest, said: “Access to health information has never been greater, but understanding hasn’t necessarily kept pace. Tools like AI can be helpful, but they rely on people having the knowledge and confidence to interpret what they’re seeing.
“Improving health isn’t about one-off decisions, it’s about building a clearer picture over time. Regular monitoring, tracking changes and understanding trends in your own body are what allow people to take control of their health in a meaningful way.
“The more informed you are with your own health data, the better equipped you are to ask the right questions, spot when something isn’t quite right, and take action earlier.”
To test your own health knowledge, visit: What's your Health IQ?