Health Barometer

Summary

Strenghts: - The methodology is quite good and stable across time; - Data are quickly available; - It is possible to discuss with the INPES the possibility of adding new questions for the whole sample or for a sub-sample, which is easier (for example, people aged 60-85), in either the non-thematic surveys (every 5 years) or in a thematic survey; - It is probably the most detailed French survey regarding mental health (in 2005 and 2010), physical activity (2005), sexual behaviours, licit (tobacco, alcohol, medication) and illicit drug use, as well as other addictions (internet, videogames, money games...)...; - In 2008, the specific topic of Alzheimer’s disease was added and included questions about support provided to/attitudes toward people with Alzheimer’s disease, opinions towards affected individuals and towards the disease. Limitations: - People aged over 75 were not included in the survey prior to 2010 (except in the Cancer Barometers). - Self-reported data only: no linkage possible with medico-administrative data. - Cross-sectional surveys: no longitudinal follow-up; - This survey addresses a wide range of topics, and for each of them it is usually not possible to conduct very detailed analyses, apart from those listed above; - At the moment, this survey is not designed for international comparisons: data are not available in English, international taxonomies are missing for occupation and education, and the standardized scales used are not necessarily the most relevant (Duke, Whoqol).

Type of data

Data Source
Survey

Type of Study
Crosssection regular

Data gathering method
Telephone

Access to data

Conditions of access
Downloadable files after agreement.

Type of available data (e.g. anonymised microdata, aggregated tables, etc.)
Anonymised individual data

Formats available
SPSS, SAS, STATA.

Coverage

Coverage Years of collection, reference years, and sample sizes
Health Barometers (general): Round 1: Data collected in 1993 with a sample of 2,000 individuals ages 18-87. Round 2: Data collected in 1995 with a sample of 2,000 individuals ages 18-75. Round 3: Data collected in 2000 with a sample of 14,000 individuals ages 12-75 (25% of respondents were aged 55-75). Round 4: Data collected in 2005 with a sample of 30,000 individuals ages 12-75 (25% of respondents were aged 55.75). Round 5: Data collected in 2010 with a sample of 28,000 individuals ages 15-85 (36% of respondents were aged 55-85). Round 6: Next wave is scheduled for 2015. Health Barometers (thematic): Dietary Habits: Round 1: Data collected in 1996 with a sample of 2,000 individuals ages 18-75. Round 2: Data collected in 2002 with a sample of 3,000 individuals ages 18-75. Round 3: Data collected in 2008 with a sample of 5,000 individuals ages 12-75 (28% of respondents were aged 55-75). Cancer: Round 1: Data collected in 2005 with a sample of 4,000 individuals ages 15 and older (33% of respondents were 55 and older). Round 2: Data collected in 2010 with a sample of 4,000 individuals ages 15-85 (35% of respondents were aged 55-85). Depression: Data collected in 2005 with a sample of 6,000 individuals ages 15-75. Environment: Data collected in 2008 with a sample of 6,000 individuals with 20% of the respondents aged 55-75. Many of the questions were related to housing and neighbourhoods.

First year of collection
1993

Stratification if applicable

Base used for sampling

Geographical coverage and breakdowns
national

Age range
Most of the time: depending on the wave/thematic survey, see above.

Statistical representativeness
Population representative

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics
The Baromètre Santé surveys allow for a detailed study of the topics Health and Performance and Wellbeing, and the thematic survey conducted in 2008 on Health and Environmental issues allows for a fairly detailed study of some aspects of the Housing, Urban Development and Mobility topic.

Linkage

Standardisation
ISCED and ISCO taxonomies are not used. Some scales used in the questionnaire are international standards (Whoqol for quality of life, Duke health profile, Audit for alcohol abuse).

Possibility of linkage among databases
No

Data quality

Entry errors if applicable

Breaks
Some questions have changed over time. The general methodology has also changed to take into account the evolution of telephoning, and especially the growing number of households who are “mobile only”.

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection
satisfactory

Governance

Contact information
François Beck
Institut national de prévention et d'éducation pour la santé (INPES)
42, bd de la Libération
93203 Saint Denis Cedex France Phone: (+33) 01 49 33 23 64
Email: Francois.BECK(at)inpes.sante.fr
Url:

Timeliness, transparency
Usually the first results are published about one year after the end of data collection. Access to the database can be negotiated only a few months after the end of data collection, with some restrictions. The access is easier as soon as the first results have been published.