Scottish Health Survey

A collection of documents relating to the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS). This Survey provides a detailed picture of the health of the Scottish population in private households and is designed to make a major contribution to the monitoring of health in Scotland.

Introduction

The main topics included in the survey are:

  • accidents
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)
  • alcohol and drinking experiences
  • asthma
  • biological measurements (including Body Mass Index)
  • cardiovascular disease and use of services
  • chronic pain
  • COVID-19
  • CPR training
  • dental health and services
  • diet
  • discrimination and harassment
  • drugs
  • food insecurity
  • gambling
  • general health
  • loneliness
  • long-term conditions
  • mental wellbeing
  • parental history
  • physical activity
  • prescribed medicines and drug coding
  • respiratory
  • smoking
  • social capital
  • Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
  • stress at work
  • unpaid caring 
  • vitamin supplements

Not all topics are included in the survey every year.

Scottish Health Survey dashboard

This dashboard summarises key indicators for Scotland (2008-2021) and NHS health board and local authority areas for combined years 2012-2015, 2013-2016, 2014-2017, 2015-2018, 2016-2019 and 2017-2021.

1995-2010

You can find older publications in our archive.

The latest local area results are now published in the Scottish Health Survey dashboard. Figures for previous years (2012-2015, 2013-2016, 2014-2017) have been revised and are available for all health boards and local authorities in the dashboard.

Questionnaire content review

2018 onwards

2024 onwards

The Scottish Health Survey content review was launched on the 18 July 2022. The survey was live for 10 weeks and closed on the 26 September 2022. 

This was the first step in reviewing the survey content. A report summarising the review responses was published on 11 April 2023. The results of the review will be discussed with project board members and any changes, additions or removal of questions or physical measures from the survey will be agreed. A further report will be published to summarise the changes to the survey as a result of the review process.

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