Public Health Data
Public health data available from administrative sources
The NHS Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland, publishes regular updates on a wide range of health statistics. Data are available for various geographies, including at Scotland level, NHS Board, Local Authority and Community Health Partnership. Breakdowns by other factors such as age, gender and deprivation are also available. ISD statistics include notes about the data sources used and interpretation. As well as accessing routinely published statistics, customers can request analysis on an ad hoc basis.
The Scottish Public Health Observatory (ScotPHO) also publishes a variety of health related statistics and reports. Of particular interest for local monitoring are the Health and Wellbeing profiles for Community Health Partnerships (CHPs). These provide useful 'at a glance' local information on various types of health indicators for each CHP as well as an overall 'performance' comparison with Scotland. Sub-CHP level health data are also available. Information about the data is available in the definitions and resources and a technical document, which also provides guidance on interpretation of these statistics.
The General Register Office for Scotland (GRO(S)) publishes information about births and deaths, as well as estimates of life expectancy and population size for various geographies within Scotland.
Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics (SNS) is hosted by the Scottish Government to improve the availability, consistency and accessibility of small area statistics in Scotland. SNS gives access to a wide range of information, including a number of public health related indicators, for various geographies down to datazone level (small areas containing around 800 residents).
Health behaviour data available from surveys
Smoking prevalence in Scotland is currently monitored through data from the Scottish Household Survey, with Scotland level results available annually and statistics for all local authorities available every 2 years.
Smoking behaviour data and data on other behaviours and factors that influence health such as mental wellbeing, obesity, alcohol intake, physical activity and diet are collected through the Scottish Health Survey, which was run in 1995, 1998 and 2003 and is now running continuously from 2008-11. Scotland level data will be available annually from September 2009. It is necessary to aggregate data from several years to give sufficient sample size for robust results at sub-Scotland level. Statistics for all NHS Boards will be available from 4 years of survey data, but some local areas have purchased a boosted sample to give local level results more frequently.