Health & Lifestyles in the Oxford Region December 1992
Synopsis:
The 1991-2 Health Life
Survey (HLS2) was the second such survey to be conducted
in the Oxford Region, the first survey having been
undertaken in 1984-8 (HLS1). The latest survey
elicited responses from a representative sample of 9,332
residents in the 18-64 age group, a response rate of
73%. A summary of the main finding were as
follows:
- Smoking rates have
decline in all social groups from 32% in HLS1 to 28%
in HLS2. The exception of this trend was among
young women whose smoking rate increased from 33% to
38%, making them more likely to be smokers than any
other group. There are still marked social
class differences in smoking rates.
- Twenty two per cent of respondents reported eating
an 'unhealthy' diet. There has been a dramatic
change in the type of milk used and a shift towards
consumption of polyunsaturated fat spreads.
There are still marked social class differences in
dietary habits.
- There have been
significant improvements in blood pressure
screening, with 87% or respondents reporting a blood
pressure measurement in the previous five years.
Women are more likely to have been screened than
men. Men in manual occupations were least
likely to have had their blood pressure measured.
- Fifty eight per cent of respondents wore glasses or
contact lenses. Women were more likely than
men to have had their eyes tested in the previous
two years, Uptake of eye tests was lower
amongst those in working class groups.
For further information
please contact:
Health Services
Research Unit,
Department of Public Health & Primary Care,
University of Oxford,
Gibson Building,
Radcliffe Infirmary,
Oxford OX2 6HE
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