Dataset

Health Examination Survey

In a Health Examination Survey (HES) objective health information is collected among a representative sample of the total population, including those who have no contact with health services. The collection of objective health measures at population level is particularly important for items that are often not accurately reported in a health interview survey (e.g. height and weight) and for diseases that may be present without any symptoms but have important health consequences (e.g. high blood pressure or high cholesterol level in the blood). The data from HES are essential for solid health policy development based on the population’s needs. In 2018 the sixth Belgian Health Interview Survey (HIS) was organised by Sciensano. Information on the health status, lifestyle, health care use and socio-demographic characteristics were collected among a representative sample of 11.300 people residing in Belgium. From March 1st 2018 onwards, eligible HIS participants were invited to participate also in a HES. Respondents were eligible if they are at least 18 years and had participated in the HIS themselves (no proxy interview). About 1.100 respondents agreed to participate - they were visited at home by a trained nurse. The HES included a short additional questionnaire, a physical examination and the collection of a blood sample. The physical examination consisted of the measurement of height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure. Laboratory blood analyses included the measurement of glucose and cholesterol in the blood. The results were transferred to Sciensano in a coded way, ensuring that participants could not be identified. Through a unique identification code it is possible to link the HES data with information from the same people that was obtained in the HIS.

Overview

Alternative Titles / Acronym
  • HES
Keywords
determinants of health health status clinical measurement health examination survey monitoring
Languages
ENG, FRA, NLD
Health Categories
Data on factors impacting on health, including socio-economic, environmental and behavioural determinants of health Data from research cohorts, questionnaires and surveys related to health, after the first publication of results
Population Coverage
a representative sample of the total population, including those who have no contact with health services
Personal Data Categories
Gender Health Region Weight Demographic Age Biometric
Purposes

  • The data from HES are essential for solid health policy development based on the population’s needs.

Provenance
  • Primary collection from respondents.
Landing Pages
Documentation

Temporal Information

Dataset Issued
Dataset Modified
Temporal Coverage
Start
End
Update Frequency
UNKNOWN
Metadata Dates
Issued:
Modified:

Spatial Information

Geographic Coverage
  • BE
NUTS Codes
http://data.europa.eu/nuts/code/BE

Additional Information

Dataset Types
Personal Data
Applicable Legislation
Legal Basis

  • Article 16 of the law of December 8, 1992 on the protection of privacy in relation to the processing of personal data

HDAB
Contact Points
Conforms To
Version
Version_2020_10
Is Version Of
  • http://sciensanofdp.darwinproject.be:8080/dataset/a100e5c2-916f-4f92-82ea-417ae1165b33
In Series
  • http://sciensanofdp.darwinproject.be:8080/dataset/a100e5c2-916f-4f92-82ea-417ae1165b33
Referenced By
Structured Identifiers

Quality & Retention

Retention Period
From: 2020-01-15T00:00:00+01:00

Distributions & Resources

Health Examination Survey | Microdata request procedure

https://www.sciensano.be/en/node/55737/health-interview-survey-microdata-request-procedure

Restricted en
Publication Info
License cc-zero1.0
Standards & Languages
Languages en
Conforms To
Distribution Profile
Direct Links
Access URL https://www.sciensano.be/en/node/55737/health-interview-survey-microdata-request-procedure
HES | Codebook

https://www.sciensano.be/sites/default/files/codebook_his_2018_ext_10.xlsx

Restricted en
Description

HES information available in code book.

Publication Info
License cc-zero1.0
Standards & Languages
Languages en
Conforms To
Sample Profile
Direct Links
Download URL Download
HES | Codebook variables (csvw)

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sciensanogit/SciensanoDataPortal_distributions/refs/heads/main/datasets/HES/datadic.ttl

Restricted TURTLE en
Description

HES information available in code book (variables)

Publication Info
License cc-zero1.0
Technical Details
MIME Type http://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/text/turtle
Standards & Languages
Languages en
Conforms To
Sample Profile
Direct Links
Download URL Download
determinants of health
health status
clinical measurement
health examination survey
monitoring