Welsh Health Survey, 2009: Teaching Dataset (Adults)

The <i>Welsh Health Survey</i> (WHS) collects information about the health of people living in Wales, including health status, lifestyle and health behaviours, and use of health services. This dataset covers the sixth year of the current WHS, which ran for 12 months from January 2009. This teaching dataset provides a simplified introductory to the WHS and contains a selection of key variables for adults. With fewer variables than the main WHS dataset, it is easier to use and may be particularly helpful for new users.<br>
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WHS in its current form began in 2003. The survey is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and is carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). Each year, data is collected from a representative sample of around 15,000 adults and 3,000 children in Wales, using a short household interview and individual self-completion questionnaires completed by all adults and up to two children in each household. <br>
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The content of the adult questionnaire has remained fairly stable since 2003, covering:<ul><li>health status, including general health and wellbeing, illness, eyesight and hearing</li><li>health-related behaviours such as smoking, drinking, fruit and vegetable consumption, Body Mass Index and physical activity</li><li>health services including GP, hospital visits and use of other services like dentists, opticians and NHS Direct</li></ul><i>Welsh Health Survey, 2009: Teaching Dataset (Adults)</i> is a simplified introductory dataset which covers adults only. The main WHS 2009 adult dataset (available from the UK Data Archive under SN 6589) contains over 400 variables. This teaching dataset is a slimmed down version containing 54 key variables. This makes it easier to use, particularly for new or occasional users. All adult respondents are included in the dataset, and so any results produced from it should match those derived from the more detailed dataset and those shown in the WHS annual report.<br>