Welsh Health Survey 2008: Health of Carers

These statistics on the health of adult carers are based on data from the Welsh Health Survey for 2008, with some additional analysis from the 5 year period 2003/04-2008. The latest bulletin updates the statistics previously released on 15 May 2008.

The key points from the latest bulletin:

• Among younger adults (aged 16-44), the percentage reporting that they were being treated for certain illnesses (especially mental illness), and the percentage reporting limiting long-term illness, was higher for carers than non-carers. Among older adults, there was little difference between carers and non-carers.
• Younger adult carers (aged 16-44) were more likely than non-carers to report smoking. There was little difference for older adults. Carers were more likely than non-carers to report eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables the previous day, and meeting guidelines for physical activity the previous week. Not all of these differences were statistically significant.
• Younger adult carers (aged 16-44) were more likely than non-carers to report talking to their GP in the previous two weeks. There was little difference for older adults.
• For younger adults, there was a pattern of poorer health with higher carer workloads, however this pattern was not clearly observed for older adults (65 or over).

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 6710
E-mail: stats.healthinfo@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next update

Not a regular output