Self-Reported Health

Indicator Rationale

Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) describes this measure of health status as simple and global. Self-reported health assessments have been found to be a powerful predictor of future health care use and mortality, independent of other medical, behavioural or psychosocial risk factors.  Wellbeing can be defined in many ways, but most observers treat it as at least partly a subjective, psychological concept. Two psychological variables central to the concept of well-being are ‘life satisfaction’ and ‘stress’.  

Data Source

Community Indicators Victoria Survey 2007

Measure

People Self-Reporting Health as Excellent or Very Good: expressed as a percentage of the adult population.

A small number of survey respondents (representing 0.1% of the weighted survey estimates across Victoria, and less than 0.8% in every LGA) didn't know or refused to answer the survey question.  These respondents have been excluded from the data analysis.

Survey Question

QA2.  In general, would you say your health is...?  Excellent; Very good; Good; Fair; Poor.

Source of Question

This question on self-assessed health is taken from the SF36 (population norms).

Reference

Stewart, A. L., & Ware, J. E. (1992). Measuring functioning and well-being: The Medical Outcomes Study
approach. Durham, NC: Duke University Press