National Health
CONTACT
Assistant Director
Health Surveys
Health Section
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Telephone (02) 6252 6403
Facsimile (02) 6252 8007
DESCRIPTION
This survey provides information on the health status of the Australian population. Topics covered include use of health services and facilities, smoking, alcohol consumption and exercise. The 1995 survey was also designed to provide information on the health of Indigenous Australians.
Surveys in this series are designed to provide national benchmark information on a range of health and related issues, and to enable the monitoring of trends in health over time. The 1989-90 and 1995 National Health Surveys provided detailed information on children which can be used to analyse child health in terms of the socio-demographic characteristics of the family.
SCOPE
All persons except members of the permanent Australian defence forces, certain diplomatic personnel of overseas governments, members of non-Australian defence forces (and their dependants) stationed in Australia and overseas residents visiting Australia. The sample includes private dwellings and a small selection of non-private dwellings (such as hotels, motels and boarding houses). The survey is conducted in both urban and rural areas in all States and Territories.
DISSEMINATION
Publications
National Health Survey: Users' Guide (cat. no. 4363.0)
National Health Survey: Data Reference Package, Australia (cat. no. 4363.0.00.001)
National Health Survey: Summary of Results, Australia (cat. no. 4364.0)
National Health Survey: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Results, Australia (cat. no. 4806.0).
Data Service
Customised unpublished data are available in a variety of formats.
National Health Survey: Sample File, Australia (cat. no. 4324.0.55.001).
Data Details
Data are primarily available at person level. Some data are also available at income unit, family and household levels.
Demographic and Family Information
Age (including children aged 0-14)
Sex (including children aged 0-14)
Relationship in household
Social marital status
Birthplace
Year of arrival in Australia
Main language spoken at home
Indigenous status
Family type
Household type
Health status
Recent illness
Long-term conditions
Self-assessed health status
General health and well-being
Health-related actions
Hospital episodes
Visits to day clinics
Doctor consultations
Dental consultations
Consultations with other health professionals
Others (persons/organisations) consulted
Reduced activity
Use of medications
Use of vitamins, mineral supplements, herbal or natural medications
Health risk factors
Smoking
Alcohol consumption
Exercise
Injury/accidents
Height and weight
Sun protection
Women's health supplementary items
Screening practices for beast and cervical cancer
Contraceptive practices
Breastfeeding
Health insurance and health cards
Type of private insurance
Contribution rate
Health cards
Other selected topics
Employment
Income
Education
Housing
GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE
Australia, States and Territories. Data can be compiled for regions below State level.
FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION
Five-yearly. Latest survey 1995.
METHOD OF COLLECTION
Special Social Survey. The most recent survey was conducted from January 1995 to January 1996. Trained interviewers conducted personal interviews with residents of approximately 24,000 private and non-private dwellings.
HISTORICAL DATA
The first of the National Health Survey series was conducted in 1989--90. However, similar national surveys covering health status and the use of health services were conducted by the ABS in 1977--78 and 1983.
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