Frequently asked questions

Why have I been selected?

We selected people aged 50 and over who had previously taken part in the Health Survey for England. The advantage of interviewing the same people again for ELSA is that this enables us to build on the health data that was collected for these individuals (known as study ‘members’) in the HSE study. We have been able to combine this data on health with further health, economic and social data.

Around 20,300 people from all over the country were selected for ELSA. Once an individual has been selected, we cannot change one person for another. Our society consists of many different types of people and we need to represent them all. The information obtained from our survey will make a more complete picture if everyone we approach agrees to take part – we very much hope that you will take part, and that you find the experience rewarding.

We rely on voluntary co-operation for our study and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time. The success of the study depends on the goodwill and co-operation of those selected for the study. The more people who do take part, the more representative and accurate the information and its analysis will be. No special knowledge is needed to take part. Most people who are selected agree to be interviewed, and enjoy the experience.

For the second (2003-4) and third (2006-7) stages of the study, we re-contacted all households where at least one person was interviewed during the first stage of the study. For the fourth stage (2008-9), we would like to do the same. We hope to interview about 12,000 people. If you were asked to take part in previous stages but did not, we would still be very pleased if you agreed to take part in this fourth stage of the study.

What is the study about? | Why have I been selected? | Is the survey confidential? | Who is carrying out the study? |
Why is the study important? | What questions will I be asked? | Who is paying for the study? | Who can I contact about the study?

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