1 Groups often omitted from national, household surveys: implications for disability statistics. Howard Meltzer Social and Vital Statistics Division Office for National Statistics, London, UK Washington Group on Disability Statistics 4th meeting Bangkok, Thailand September 29 – October 1, 2004

2 The context In most counties, the vast majority of the population,over 98%, live in private households. Therefore, for strategic, logistical and economic reasons, national surveys aim primarily to gather data on this population. Therefore, in many counties, residents living in institutions are excluded from national surveys.

3 The forgotten few  Elderly people residing in care homes or nursing homes  Prisoners  Those living in educational establishments  Military personnel  Workers living in hostels  Hotel residents plus  Homeless and roofless people  Remote groups  Displaced people

4 Why are these groups omitted? (1) Size of the population Sampling issues: –frame –variations in size –permanent versus temporary Economic reasons Logistical reasons –access –informed consent Sensitivity

5 Why are these groups omitted? (2) Applicability of questions –can do/ allowed to do –ICF and environmental constraints Mode of administration –face to face –postal (mail) surveys –telephone surveys Use of proxy informants –who knows subject the best –attitudinal questions

6 The importance of including the often excluded groups Service provision and resource allocation Social inclusion or integration Health monitoring of the total population

7 What is the best way of increasing coverage? Census Extending coverage of national household surveys Separate institutional surveys

8 Groups often omitted from national, household surveys: implications for disability statistics. Howard Meltzer Social and Vital Statistics Division Office for National Statistics, London, UK Washington Group on Disability Statistics 4th meeting Bangkok, Thailand September 29 – October 1, 2004