SELF-ASSESSED HEALTH STATUS
Definition
This is a single question about how respondents rated their overall health.
Population
Information was obtained for all persons aged 15 years and over in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS).
Methodology
Self-assessed health status was collected in both the NATSIHS and the NATSINPAS surveys. Information on self-assessed health status was first published in the First Results publication based on the NATSIHS only sample of approximately 6,000 people aged 15 years and over. Updated results on self-assessed health status of the larger, combined NATSIHS and NATSINPAS sample (known as the Core sample), of approximately 8,900 people aged 15 years and over was published in the Updated Results publication. For comparison of self-assessed health status with NATSIHS only items, the NATSIHS file should be used and similarly for comparison with NATSINPAS only items, the NATSINPAS file should be used. However for the most accurate information on self-assessed health status alone or comparison with other items collected in the Core, the Core file should be used. For more information on the structure of the AATSIHS, see the Structure of the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey page of this Users’ Guide.
After collecting demographic, education and employment information and before any specific health questions were asked, respondents were asked whether in general they felt their health was:
- excellent
- very good
- good
- fair
- poor.
Data items
The data items and related output categories for this topic are available in Excel spreadsheet format from the
Downloads page of this product.
Interpretation
Points to be considered in interpreting this topic include.
- This is a subjective question. Perceptions may be influenced by any number of factors which may be unrelated to health, or which may reflect momentary or short-term feelings or circumstances (rather than usual feelings or circumstances). Responses may have been influenced by factors involved in the interview itself such as the presence of another family member. However self-assessed health has been shown to be a good indication of a person's health at the population level.
- Information recorded for persons aged 15-17 may have been reported by an adult (usually a parent) within the household. A small number of adults may not have been able to answer for themselves due to illness or disability. In these cases, a person responsible for them was interviewed on their behalf, provided the interviewer was assured that this was acceptable to the subject person. Therefore, data for these groups may not be conceptually 'self-assessed' as responses may have been different if the children/adult had responded for themselves. Proxy use items are available on the data files for additional analysis if required.
Comparability with 2004-05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)
Self-assessed health status is considered to be directly comparable between the 2004-05 and 2012-13 NATSIHS. However, it should be noted that 2004-05 also asked the respondent to compare their health status to one year earlier.
Comparability with 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)
Self-assessed health status is considered to be directly comparable between the 2008 NATSISS and 2012-13 NATSIHS. However, it should be noted that 2008 NATSISS also asked the respondent to compare their health status to one year ago. Additionally, the population for the 2008 NATSISS was persons 0 years and over.
Comparability with 2011-12 Australian Health Survey (AHS)
Self-assessed health status is considered to be directly comparable between the 2011-12 AHS and 2012-13 AATSIHS.
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