Health
Each wave the SF-36 Health Survey instrument is included within the Self-Completion Questionnaire. The SF-36 Health Survey is an internationally recognised diagnostic tool for assessing functional health status and well-being. It comprises 36 items which provide multi-item scales measuring each of eight distinct health concepts. Following the scoring rules outlined in Ware et al. (2000), each of these eight scales has been transformed into a 0-100 index. The individual scores for each of these indices have been provided as derived variables in the data set. In addition, the SF-6D health state classification has also been derived from the SF-36 (as outlined in Brazier, Roberts and Deverill, 2002).
From wave 6, respondents are asked to record their height and weight in the Self-Completion Questionnaire. This is used to derive their body mass index. Further information on the quality of the height and weight data is provided in Wooden et al (2008).
Kessler-10 was asked for the first time in wave 7 (question B17 in the SCQ). A description of the associated variables is provided in Wooden (2009b).
The derived health variables are listed in Table 4.11.
Table 4.11: Derived health variables
| Variable | Description |
| _ghpf, _ghrp, _ghbp, _ghgh, _ghvt, _ghsf, _ghre, _ghmh | SF–36 transformed:
|
| _ghrht | SF–36 reported health transitions – raw |
| _ghsf6d | SF–6D Health state Classification |
| _bmht1 | Height in centimetres |
| _bmwt1 | Weight in kilograms |
| _bmi1 | Body Mass Index |
| _bmigp | Body Mass Index group |
| gpdk10s | Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) score |
| gpdk10rc | Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) risk categories |
| _hcbwk1-102 | Birth weight (kg) – child 1-10 |
| _hclbw1-102 | Low birth weight - child 1-10 (aged < 15) |
| _hcgpc1-102 | Sees a particular GP or clinic if sick or needs health advice – child 1-10 (aged < 15) |
| _hcgpn1-102 | Number of doctor visits - child 1-10 (aged < 15) |
| _hchan1-102 | Number of hospital admissions - child 1-10 (aged < 15) |
| _hchnn1-102 | Number of nights in hospital - child 1-10 (aged < 15) |
| _hegpc2 | Sees a particular GP or clinic if sick or needs health advice |
| _hegpn2 | Number of doctor visits |
| _hehan2 | Number of hospital admissions |
| _hehnn2 | Number of nights in hospital |
| _helv102 | How likely that you will live to 75 or at least 10 more years |
| 1 | From wave 6. |
| 2 | Wave 9 only. |