The Health Survey for England (HSE) monitors trends in the nation’s health and care.
It provides information about adults aged 16 and over, and children aged 0 to 15, living in private households in England. The survey is used to monitor overweight and obesity and to estimate the proportion of people in England who have certain health conditions and the prevalence of risk factors and health related behaviours, such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
The survey consists of an interview, followed by a visit from a nurse who takes some measurements and blood and saliva samples. Adults and children aged 13 to 15 were interviewed in person, and parents of children aged 0 to 12 answered on behalf of their children for many topics. Children aged 8 to 15 filled in a self-completion booklet about their drinking and smoking behaviour.
In total 7,997 adults (aged 16 and over) and 1,985 children (aged 0 to 15) were interviewed. 5,196 adults and 1,195 children had a nurse visit.
Correction notice 27/11/2019
The following errors have been identified and corrected for the 2017 HSE report:
An error in 2017 figures for children's self-reported cigarette smoking status. This error affected two tables (table 3 and table A1) in the Children’s health topic report. Corrections have been made to version 2 of the report and tables and are available below. Estimates change by between 0-1%, but the narrative around the relationships remains stable.
An error in the derivation of equivalised income (including equivalised income quintiles and equivalised income tertiles). This error affected ten tables in the 2016 HSE report, that use equivalised income, in five separate topic reports: Adult and Child overweight and obesity, Adult health related behaviours, Multiple risk factors, Adult health and Cardiovascular diseases. Corrections have been made to version 2 of these reports and tables and are available below. Corrected estimates change by between 0-2%, but the narrative around the relationships remains stable.
The Summary report has also been updated to correct figures where necessary.
