The survey provides information about the health of people all over England which cannot be obtained from other sources. This includes information about lifestyles as well as about health. This is the only way that the Department of Health can get feedback from the average family, rather than statistics from people in hospital or from those who visit their GP. It is also the only way they can link information on lifestyles and health. The Health Survey for England is essential for the Department of Health’s forward planning, for identifying gaps in health services provision and for identifying which groups are at particular risk of future ill-health.

We need to talk to different types of people to get an accurate picture of the health of the nation. The Health Survey is designed to represent people of different ages, sexes, geographic areas and backgrounds across the nation.

There are certain key topics that are asked in the survey every year. These include general health, use of health services, smoking and drinking. Each year there is a different focus on a specific aspect of health. Previous years have looked at areas such as asthma, accidents, heart disease and physical activity. In any year, a specific population group may be the focus of additional research. Examples of such groups include people aged 65 and over, Minority Ethnic Groups, and mothers and children. The survey is not about the NHS, but it helps the government to look at strategies to improve the health of the whole nation. The findings from the survey help to inform health policy regardless of which Government is in power. The survey will help towards developing the healthcare of future generations.

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