Scottish Government

Improve self-assessed general health

DESCRIPTION:

This indicator measures the percentage of adults who assess their health as very good or good. The data are gathered through the Scottish health Survey.

Self-assessed health is a useful measure of how individuals regard their own overall health status. It is strongly related to the presence of chronic and acute disease, as well as being a good predictor of hospital admission, mortality and a key marker of health inequalities.

SOURCE:

The Scottish Health Survey is a major population survey conducted annually. Results relating to self-assessed general health are published as part of the General Health, Mental Wellbeing and Caring module:

Scottish Health Survey

As part of the survey all participants are asked to rate their health in general as 'very good', 'good', 'fair', 'bad' or 'very bad'. From this data the percentage of adults who assess their health as 'very good' or 'good' is then calculated.

The annual denominator population for the Scottish Health Survey (from 2008 to 2011) will be approximately 6,400 adults aged 16+ years and from 2012 onwards approximately 4,000 adults aged 16+.

DEFINITIONS:

Self-assessed general health is a measure of how individuals regard their own overall health status. Respondents are simply asked to rate their 'health in general' as either 'very good', 'good', 'fair', 'bad' or 'very bad'.

It is strongly related to the presence of chronic and acute disease, as well as being a good predictor of hospital admission and mortality.

BASELINE AND PAST TRENDS:

The baseline year for this indicator is 2008, at which point 75.5% of adults rated their general health as 'good' or 'very good'.

Percentage who assess their health as very good or good:

CRITERIA FOR RECENT CHANGE ARROW:

This evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 1 percentage point of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. An increase of 1 percentage point or more suggests the position is improving; whereas a decrease of 1 percentage point or more suggests the position is worsening.

For information on general methodological approach, please click here.

FUTURE ISSUES OR REVIEWS:

No issues.

ASSOCIATED TARGET:

No associated target.