Geography and Geographical Analysis using the ONS Longitudinal Study Christopher Marshall & Julian Buxton CeLSIUS

What is the ONS LS and what data does it contain? What geographical information is in the LS and at what level? What does this allow us to do? The strengths and weaknesses of using geographical data in the LS. Examples of using geographical data in the LS. The Role of CeLSIUS (Centre for Longitudinal Study Information and User Support). Aims of the Presentation

The ONS Longitudinal Study Census data for individuals with one of four birthdates enumerated at the 1971 Census (c. 1% of population) Maintained through addition of immigrants and new births with LS birth date Information from later censuses (1981, 91 & 2001) added and linked to that already there. Event data including deaths of LS members, cancer registrations, death of spouse, births to female members, and now, under test, the Claimant Count Cohort.

Study Structure 1971 Original sample: 530,000; selected from 1971 Census ,000 sample members found at 1981 Census ,000 sample members found at 1991 Census ,894 sample members found at 2001 Census Plus members of household EntrantsNew Births 214,000Immigrants 107,000Deaths 189,000Embarkations 30,000 Births to sample women 201,000 Events Widow(er)hoods 66,000 Cancer registrations 70, Census. High N. 2. Linking 3. Non-members 4. Entrance & Termination 5. Events

Geographical Location of LS Members From Census Information Based on Address of Usual Residence on Census Day Visitors flagged prior to 2001 and usually excluded from studies Fully coded to the Administrative boundaries and also to Health boundaries (e.g. Regional Health Authority)

Main Time Points Available from address 1 year ago in Census day 1971 (25 th /26 th April) from address 1 year ago in Census day 1981 (5 th /6 th April) from address 1 year ago in Census day 1991 (21 st /22 nd April) from address 1 year ago in Census day 2001 (29 th /30 th April) 9.Also possible: 1966 from address 5 years ago (in theory)

Census Region SR 1971 & SR 1974 SR 1974 GOR 2001 County 1971 & & 2003 County District 1971 & & 2003 Ward 1971 & & 2003 Lower Levels Grid Reference Enumeration District Enumeration District & Postcode GR, PC, ED & Output Areas LS Geography (England & Wales)

What does this allow us to do? Migration: Mobility – Geographical & Social Categories Use existing definitions Create new analytical definitions Attach and analyse ecological data Create new geographies Analyse specific areas

Living in NE Social Class: Skilled Non-Manual Tenure: Social Housing Living in SE Social Class: Managerial Tenure: Owner Occupier Social and Geographical Mobility

Geographical Migration Patterns South East 1981 South West 2001 North East 1971

Use of existing definitions - Geographical Continuity for 30 years at 1974 geography despite changing boundaries. Standard Region / Government Office Region 2001 can be mapped to preceding years and look- up tables can bring earlier geographies forward to 2001 County and County Districts can be treated similarly.

Use of existing definitions: Geographical (2) Administrative boundaries Environmental boundaries Ecological Deprivation Indices Area Classifications (Urban / Rural) Population densities Small area statistics (Aggregate level variables)

Create new definitions - Geographical Urban – Rural Travel to Work Craig – Webber Other valid divisions

Create new definitions: Socio-economic Social Class by Sex Social Class by Age Group Working Status – Age Group Social Class by Tenure

Attach ecological or social data Any data can be attached to individual LS members if it is produced in the form of a look-up table with a valid geographical reference code (e.g. Ward, County District) attached. Air pollution indicators Average rainfall in 10 years Ecological Deprivation indices

Create new geographies It could be that for your specific purpose the Geographies within the LS are inappropriate. Define the geography you want based on LS wards or county districts and this can be attached to LS members and used for analysis. e.g. We have regions but you want to divide each into two or three separate areas not wholly based on counties.

Look at specific areas The purpose of your analysis is to look only at a specific area of the country and compare it with one or two others. Depending on parameters chosen the analysis can run into ‘disclosure control’ restrictions – keep the analysis simple with a limited number of parameters. Analysis at Ward level or below would require aggregation of results, while at county district level, outputs do not usually require aggregation.

Strengths of geographical data in the LS 1.Consistency over time – 1971, 1981, 1991 all coded to same base (1974 geography) can be produced on the same base down to county district level with confidence fairly easily. 2.If necessary earlier data can be brought forward to 2001 by the use of look-up tables.

3.30 years of continuous follow-up of individuals 4.9 Time points (1966 – 2001) 5.Consistency of geography through this time period. Strengths of geographical data in the LS

6.Flexibility of study design 7.Individual and Area data 8.Can add data using geographical identifiers (e.g. Carstairs deciles) 9.High level of detail available for later data. Strengths of geographical data in the LS

1.While County and County District Codes have remained fairly consistent the Ward codes needed to attach additional data have changed significantly over time. 2.Data are for England and Wales only 3.Members who move to Scotland classed as embarkations (migrants) Weaknesses of geographical data in the LS

4.Data codings and data detail not consistent. 5.It is not possible to ‘back transfer’ all geographies. 6.Ward code history – many changes and manipulations lay traps for the unwary. Weaknesses of geographical data in the LS

Scotland Members in 1971 found with a Scottish NHS number were incorporated into the LS. Events to LS members (e.g. deaths) that occur in Scotland are traced and do get linked to LS members. LS members who migrate to Scotland are treated as Emigrants and this is recorded in the LS. Earlier data remain within the LS.

Disclosure Control Rules Researchers should design their projects such that it would never be possible to identify an individual from the output data generated (Population uniques). Output cell counts of 1 or 2 are considered potentially disclosive (although most 2s will be released to users), and for publication purposes some aggregation of data would be required. Exposure times for single events are a considered a risk and have to be disguised.

Disclosure Control Rules Tables containing data with a mix of any of the following types of variable will be examined more scrupulously: OccupationCountry of birth IndustryEthnicity Cause of DeathHigher education levels Sub regional geographical fields

Examples of Using LS Geography within a project 1.Do people move out of London when they retire? 2.Have people moved from Urban to Rural areas between 1991 and 2001?

Research Question: 1. Do people move out of London when they retire? Main Study Population: LS members present at 1991 & 2001, Males: in 1991 & Females in 1991 All resident within Greater London in 1991 – from county code 1991

1. Do people move out of London when they retire? Source: ONS Longitudinal Study GOR of residence in 2001 by Sex for those living in London in 1991

2. Has the population distribution between Urban and Rural areas changed between 1991 and 2001? Main Study Population: LS members present at 1991 & 2001 Age in 1991 Report: resident in Urban / Rural Ward classification in 1991 and in 2001 using 1974 boundaries. Research Question:

2. Distribution of Urban / Rural residency between 1991 and Source: ONS Longitudinal Study Area of residence 1991 v Area of residence 2001

The Role of CeLSIUS (Centre for Longitudinal Study Information and User Support) An interface between academics and the Office for National Statistics. Provide - through our Web site - information on: The structure of the ONS LS. How to decide if it is for you. Training modules to assist your understanding of the data and how it can be manipulated. All the documents needed to apply for permission to use the ONS LS and access to the LS datasets.

The CeLSIUS training modules: Socio-economic indicators LS Outputs Households and families Defining a study population Ethnicity Geography – NEW just released

A Free service for UK academic users General enquiries: Emily GrundyAndy Sloggett Lynda ClarkeJulian Buxton Christopher MarshallJo Tomlinson