Welsh Health Survey

Health Surveys User Meeting, July 5th, London

Background to the survey• Provides information on

the health of people living in Wales, the way they use health services and the things that can affect their health.

• Established in 2003.

• Runs all year round.

• Carried out by NatCen on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Main survey aims

• To inform and monitor health targets, indicators and policies.

• Provides information for NHS resource allocation in Wales.

• Provides estimates at national (Wales) level, for population sub-groups (such as age, sex, socio-demographic groups) and for local authorities and local health boards.

Data Collection (1)• Aim for an achieved sample over each year of:• 15,000 adults• 3,000 children• A minimum of 600 adults per local authority.

• Sample selected from the Postcode Address File (PAF).

• Those not covered by the PAF, including people in institutions, are not covered by the survey.

Data Collection (2)• Mode of data collection:

• Short face-to-face household interview (up to 3 households).

• Adult self-completion questionnaire (all adults in household).

• Child self-completion questionnaire (up to 2 children in household).

• Child height and weight measurements.

• Interviewers collect questionnaires.

Survey topics

• Illnesses• Health status • Smoking• Alcohol• Fruit and vegetable

consumption• Physical Activity• BMI• Use of GP services• Use of hospital

services

• Medicines• Carers• Health of children• Demographic / socio-

economic info (age, sex, geographic area, NS-SEC)

• Trends since 2003

Selected illnesses and conditions, adults, 2010

Percentage of adults who reported being treated for any illness, by age and sex, 2010

0

20

40

60

80

100

16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+

Age group

Pe

rce

nt

Men

Women

Adults currently being treated for selected illnesses, 2003/04-2010

-

5

10

15

20

25

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2007 2008 2009 2010

Pe

r ce

nt

high blood pressure respiratory illness arthritis

mental illness heart condition diabetes

Health-related lifestyle, 2010

23% of adults smoked.

44% of adults drank above the recommended guidelines, including 27% who reported binge drinking.

35% of adults ate five or more portions of fruit and vegetables.

30% of adults met the physical activity guidelines.

57% of adults were overweight or obese, including 22% of adults who were obese.

Percentage of adults who reported being a current smoker, by area deprivation, 2010

0

10

20

30

40

1 (leastdeprived)

2 3 4 5 (mostdeprived)

Deprivation level (WIMD)

Ag

e-s

tan

da

rdis

ed

pe

rce

nt

Percentage of adults who reported being a current smoker, 2003/04-2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2007 2008 2009 2010

Pe

rce

nt

Percentage of adults who were overweight or obese, 2003/04-2010

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2007 2008 2009 2010

Pe

rce

nt

overweight or obese obese

Outputs Initial Headline Results

Annual Report

Local Authority Report

Ad-hoc analysis, e.g. Mental Health and Wellbeing Bulletin USOA Bulletin Physical Activity Paper

Datasets available through UK data archive

• Anonymised version of the main dataset deposited with the UKDA.• Simplified introductory dataset also available.

UK Data Archive

www.esds.ac.uk/government/whs

• Dissemination review on the Welsh Health Survey was carried out in 2010.

• This was followed by a dissemination plan.

• Examples of changes made:• WHS Introductory Dataset on the UKDA• Welsh Health Survey User Guide• Changes to WHS publications• WHS distribution list

Dissemination Review

Further Information – WHS theme page

www.wales.gov.uk/statistics

Stats.healthinfo@wales.gsi.gov.uk