Documentation sheet
Definition of indicator
Calculation (numerator, denominator)
Additional underlying concepts
Relevant dimensions (subgroups)
Preferred data sources
Rationale
Data availability, quality and periodicity
References
Work to do
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Long-term activity limitations The percentage of the population that indicates to be limited in their usual daily activities due to a longstanding illness or health problem, declared by the persons themselves. |
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Calculation (numerator, denominator) (1) EHIS: Percentage of persons who answer ‘severely limited’ or ‘limited but not severely’ to the EHIS question HS.3: For at least the past 6 months, to what extend you have been limited because of a health problem in activities people usually do? Would you say you have been … Severely limited / limited but not severely / not limited at all. (2) Percentage of persons who answer ‘yes, severely’ or ‘yes to some extent ‘ to the Euro-REVES General Activity Limitation Indicator (GALI): For at least the past 6 months, are you limited because of a health problem in activities people usually do? Yes severely/ yes to some extent/no.” |
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Additional underlying concepts The analysis will be limited to the age group 15+; it is the usual age category proposed in the framework of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS). The reference period of ‘at least 6 months’ is used to underline the ‘longstanding’ character of the limitation and not as a mere limit in time. The severity of the limitation is evaluated by the respondent and does not have a strict ‘objective’ component. By activities people usually do, reference is made to the ‘day in day out’ activities in ‘normal’ situations. Yet this concept is defined by the respondent and it is in the framework of this definition that respondents are asked to estimate their capacities/limitations. |
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Relevant dimensions (subgroups) Country (also region), calendar year, gender, age group, SES. |
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1) in future: EHIS (question HS.2) 2) currently: EU-SILC 3) currently, alternative: National HIS |
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Widely used measure of health related limitations in performing everyday activities. |
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Data availability, quality and periodicity - Eurostat, regularly updated based on data from national non-harmonized surveys. - Representativeness of the surveys is not always optimal due to the lack of the institutionalized population. - EHIS implemented 2007-2009. Data will thus be available in the coming years (and will be pooled by Eurostat). |
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Name changed from “Limitations of usual activities, health related, past 6 months” to “Long-term activity limitations”, as suggested by PK. |
Data Presentations
More indicator information will follow in due time. |
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What the indicator is meant to measure. If not unambiguous, all acceptable alternatives are to be listed in numbered preference order. The final decision on preference order/numbering is to be made by ECHIM coregroup.
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How to calculate the indicator (method, numerator, denominator, etc), in the same preference order as above if more than one alternative.
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Why the indicator is measured the chosen way (prevalence, incidence, mortality, absolute numbers etc.)? Also reasons for the preferred definition and calculation details can be included here.
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Should the indicator be stratified by e.g. age, gender, socio-economic status and area
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The type of data source; in the same preference order as above (typically either register data or HIS/HES).
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Why is this indicator important, from the public health point of view. (For example: size or dynamics of the problem/issue, evidence of the relevance of the issue in public health terms (for determinants) or evidence of intervention effectiveness (for prevention or care issues)).
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The recommended data source (e.g. Eurostat, OECD, WHO, national registers or HIS/HES, project databases etc.), in the same preference order as above; some notes on the quality and availability of the data for the indicator. Eventually, also information on the availability in coutries, as derived from the ECHIM survey.
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References to original publications, websites, EHIS-question/naire, PHP projects, etc.
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What should be done to improve and complete this sheet. Eventually, this cell should be blank.
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