Evidence library

The Scottish Health Survey 2008 is presented in two volumes: a main report and a technical report. Previous surveys were published in 1995, 1998 and 2003. The 2008 report is the first to be published following a major review in 2005/2006 which included the recommendation that the survey should be carried out on a more frequent basis. This recommendation was adopted and consequently the survey is now continuous. The principal focus of the 2008 report is cardiovascular disease and the related risk factors, including smoking, alcohol, diet, physical activity, obesity. Information on general health, mental health and dental health are also included. Data collection involved 6,465 individual interviews with adults and 1,750 with children aged 0-15. Interviewers were also responsible for measuring participants? height and weight. In a sub-sample of households, permission was sought for a follow-up visit by a specially trained survey nurse. Fieldwork started in January 2008, and continued through to March 2009. Fieldwork for the second year of the survey started in January 2009.