Use of census data in public health Sylvia Godden, London Borough of Sutton Liz Rolfe, Public Health England Alison Macfarlane, City University London on behalf of the Health Statistics User Group

Public health analysis at local level Use of census data to inform Joint Strategic Needs Assessment to provide information on health and care needs of local populations for commissioning services. Main items used Population count Age profile Household composition Type of accommodation, including whether a mobile or temporary structure Ethnicity Health, even though self assessed Support and care given to others with health needs by number of hours

Small area statistics Some councils keen on the administrative data approach, which would see more regular population estimates at district level at the expense of population characteristics at the very local level. Public health needs small area statistics Individual data items Index of Multiple Deprivation scores Neighbourhood statistics – include administrative data

As hoc analyses using census data Ad hoc queries to Public Health departments informed by Census data. Some can be addressed quite easily: population breakdown and projections, Complex questions where the Census might be the only data source estimates of populations potentially affected by the proposals in the draft Care Bill people whose health is not good, carers providing over 50 hours a week of care Estimated prevalence of female genital mutilation

Source: UNICEF: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change. 2013

FGM practising country groups 1(i)Almost universal FGM, over 30% FGM Type III Sudan (north), Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti. 1(ii)High national prevalence of FGM WHO Type I and II Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone 2Moderate national prevalence of FGM WHO Type I and II Central African Republic, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritania, Senegal, Togo 3Low national prevalence of FGM WHO Type FGM I and II Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen

Estimated percentage of maternities to women with FGM in England and Wales, 2001 and 2004

Use of 2011 census data Previous estimates used just one table of age by country of birth from 2001 census Other relevant data items available Ethnicity – may be too crude Date of most recent arrival to live in UK Main language / ability to speak English Educational level Address one year ago National identity Passports held

Summary The Census is used locally in Public Health because it provides open, accessible, consistent, standardised data at no additional cost, with no restrictions on availability, all in one place. Valid, robust and measures what it purports to measure Particularly valuable where there may be a lack of alternative local sources of data, such as traveller populations Data available for small areas