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:

  • general health, long-term conditions & chronic pain
  • mental wellbeing, loneliness & stress at work
  • cardiovascular disease and use of services
  • asthma, respiratory & COVID-19
  • diet, vitamin supplements & food insecurity
  • alcohol, smoking, drugs & gambling
  • physical activity
  • dental health and services
  • biological measurements (including Body Mass Index) & prescribed medicines
  • accidents & CPR training
  • adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) & parental history
  • unpaid caring

Not all topics are included in the survey every year.

Scottish Health Survey and health record data linked

Scottish Health Survey and health record linked data is now available within the National Safe Haven. More information is available. 

Scottish Health Survey dashboard

This dashboard summarises key indicators for Scotland (2008-2022) and NHS health board and local authority areas for combined years 2012-2015, 2013-2016, 2014-2017, 2015-2018, 2016-2019, 2017-2021 and 2018-2022.

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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