.HEALTH RELATED ACTIONS
As a result of their health, or in order to improve or maintain their health, people may undertake a range of actions. For example, people may use health services such as general practitioners or hospitals. They may have to take time off work or study because of ill-health. Additionally, they may utilise particular health services designed to promote healthy lifestyles and thus decrease the risk of illness and injury.
In the 2012-13 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (AATSIHS), information was collected both on actions taken by respondents in relation to their health, as well as on actions taken for specific long-term conditions. Actions information was collected in a number of modules in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) component of the AATSIHS.
In order to adequately collect information, some information was collected for the last 2 weeks, while other information was collected for the last 12 months. For example, the 2 week reference period was used for use of medications, as respondents' recall is considered to be more accurate in this time frame.
For practical reasons (i.e. limited interview time and the difficulties in defining every possible type of action a person may have taken in relation to his/her health), the survey covered only the limited range of actions listed above. These actions reflect the main areas known to be of interest to data users and cover the more common actions people take in relation to their health. However, care should be taken not to interpret the data as comprehensive of all actions taken
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