Available in both English and Spanish, the assessment prompts shoppers to answer a series of questions to determine individual risk factors and provide a personalized report.
CHPA says the collaboration aims to address a need to empower shoppers' to make informed decisions about their health at the point of purchase, especially for those living in "health deserts," or underserved or rural communities without nearby access to care, in addition to community members who may have low health literacy.
"As people grow more proactive about their health and wellbeing, manufacturers and retailers have a critical window of opportunity to address consumers' needs by bridging health literacy gaps in a way that enables safe use and better self-care," said Anita Brikman, executive director, CHPA Educational Foundation, in the release.
With a focus on advancing OTC literacy among vulnerable communities, the foundation commissioned research in 2021 specifically on educational interventions to support low health literacy populations. Based on the research, the foundation concluded that its consumers wanted bilingual health information that can be quickly accessed and easily interpreted, colorful graphics and iconography, and QR codes to access information quickly and efficiently.
"Our research showed that QR code technology is a preferred way to access information, and we believe our OTC pain relief quiz is a solution to help support shoppers in the pain category, given the myriad of choices available,” said Brikman.