About the survey
The Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) is the cornerstone of population health surveillance in Victoria.
The survey is conducted at the state, regional and local government area levels about the health and wellbeing of adult Victorians aged 18 years or older. It collects information on the determinants of health and wellbeing—including the social determinants of health and health behaviours.
Since 2008, the sample size has been approximately 34,000 participants to enable estimates to be reported at the local government area (LGA) level. This larger survey is currently conducted every three years. In the intervening two years the survey is conducted with a smaller sample size of 7,500 participants.
What information is collected
Information is collected on:
- mental health and wellbeing status
- chronic diseases
- dental health
- lifestyle risk factors (poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia
- other health risk factors (psychological distress, obesity, food insecurity, discrimination and racism, and family violence)
- social determinants of health (socioeconomic status, stress, social exclusion, work, unemployment, loneliness and social support).
How information is collected
Information is collected via computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI).
Adults who reside in private dwellings across Victoria are randomly selected and one adult per household is invited to participate.
Interviews are also conducted in the major non-English languages in Victoria to ensure people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are included.
Prior to the 2015 VPHS, only landline telephones were called. In 2015, the survey methodology was updated to include mobile telephones.
The survey findings are used to:
- inform evidence-based planning and policy development in multiple program areas across the Victorian government
- inform evidence-based planning and program development in non-governmental organisations
- inform local priorities for municipal public health and wellbeing plans
- measure and monitor trends over time.
Victorian Population Health Survey
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We have completed the fieldwork for the 2022 Victorian Population Health Survey. The data is currently being analysed.
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Information and documents relating to the 2020 population .
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Information and documents relating to the 2019 population y
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Information and documents relating to the 2018 population .
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The Victorian Population Health Survey has been conducted each year since 2001 and is based on a random sample of adults aged 18 years and over.
The Survey is administered using computer-assisted telephone interviews. In 2017, the sample was expanded to approximately 34,000 respondents to allow for the reporting of analysed data at the local government area level.
The findings from the Victorian Population Health Survey 2017 are presented as dashboards for each of the 79 councils in Victoria, their corresponding Health Area and Division, as well as for the state of Victoria.
Indicators
The indicators presented as dashboards are:
- Smoking prevalence
- Fruit and vegetable consumption
- Intake of sugar sweetened beverages
- Consumption of take-away or snack food
- Obesity
- Physical activity
- Alcohol consumption
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Life satisfaction
- Self-reported health status
- Health checks
- Bowel and breast cancer screening
- Selected chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes
- Dental health
Download dashboards
Family violence in Victoria: findings from the Victorian Population Health Survey
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Information and documents relating to the 2016 population survey.
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Information and documents relating to the 2015 population survey.
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Previous reports of the Victorian Population Health Survey, presented high-quality information on the health of Victorians. Information in each report is presented on health and lifestyle, including physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, intake of fruit and vegetables, selected health screening, adult obesity, asthma and diabetes prevalence, psychological distress and social networks.
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Challenges to healthy eating: food insecurity in
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Reviewed 02 January 2024