Indicators of population health and related risk factors from the Scottish Health Survey
Data file for Scottish Health Survey-Local area level data
The survey is currently designed to yield a representative sample of the general population living in private households in Scotland every year. Estimates at NHS Health Board and Local Authority level are available over a four year reporting period. Those living in institutions, who are likely to be older and, on average, in poorer health than those in private households, were outwith the scope of the survey. This should be borne in mind when interpreting the survey findings. The survey uses a clustered, stratified multi-stage sample design. In addition, weights are applied when obtaining survey estimates.
Detailed survey documentation is available on [the Scottish Health Survey webpages.](https://www.gov.scot/collections/scottish-health-survey/) Users may also submit a special dataset request for their own analysis by [following our guidance and proforma.](https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-statistics-request-our-data/) Disclosure controlled survey microdata are available to registered researchers via the [UK Data Service.](https://www.ukdataservice.ac.uk/)
Survey results are not released in a form that reveals the identity of individual participants. Participants are provided assurances that their information will only be used for statistical and research purposes only in accordance with data protection legislation. Statistical Disclosure Control procedures, including variable removal, top coding and recoding are used to ensure that survey microdata, available via the UK Data Service, does not reveal the identity of individuals.
A significant number of changes were made to the questionnaire content in advance of the 2018 survey based on the consultation that took place in Autumn 2016, with a summary of responses published in Spring 2017. These changes are discussed in the [Scottish Health Survey: Report of Questionnaire Changes from 2018.](https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-health-survey-report-questionnaire-changes-2018/)
Further information on the survey methodology can be accessed on [the SHeS webpages.](https://www.gov.scot/collections/scottish-health-survey/)
The Scottish Health Survey was first run in 1995, then 1998, 2003 and has been in the field continuously since 2008. Annual statistics publications presenting nationally representative results are published, typically in autumn the following year.
The Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) is used to monitor progress towards the following National Indicators: -Mental Wellbeing -Healthy Weight -Health Risk Behaviours -Physical Activity -Child wellbeing -Food insecurity As a study of public health, the Scottish Health Survey plays an important role in assessing health outcomes, health risks and the extent of health inequalities in Scotland and how these have changed over time. As well as being the official source for measuring progress on a number of National Performance Framework indicators, SHeS is used to monitor numerous health strategies, programmes and initiatives.
The latest data presented here can also be viewed on [an interactive dashboard.](https://scotland.shinyapps.io/sg-scottish-health-survey/) The Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) has been carried out annually since 2008 and prior to this was carried out in 1995, 1998, and 2003. Commissioned by the Scottish Government Health Directorates, the series provides regular information on aspects of the public's health and factors related to health which cannot be obtained from other sources. The SHeS series was designed to: -estimate the prevalence of particular health conditions in Scotland -estimate the prevalence of certain risk factors associated with these health conditions and to document the pattern of related health behaviours -look at differences between regions and subgroups of the population in the extent of their having these particular health conditions or risk factors, and to make comparisons with other national statistics for Scotland and England -monitor trends in the population's health over time -make a major contribution to monitoring progress towards health targets Each survey in the series includes a set of core questions and measurements (height and weight and, if applicable, blood pressure, waist circumference, and saliva samples), plus modules of questions on specific health conditions and health risk factors that vary from year to year. Each year the main sample has been augmented by an additional boosted sample for children.
Scottish Health Survey-Local area level data