In short
Have you been invited to take part in this survey? Go to the participants’ page
The Great Health Survey is the Belgian version of the European survey EHIS (European Health Interview Survey). The purpose of this survey is to gain a better understanding of citizens’ health status, their lifestyle habits (such as diet, physical activity, smoking, etc.), and their use of healthcare services in European countries.
The aim is to collect the same type of information in all participating countries so that the results can be compared reliably and harmonised at the European level. The survey targets people aged 15 and older who live in a private household in one of the participating countries (i.e., not in an institution or care home, for example).
Project description
The EHIS survey has existed since 2006 and is organized in different “waves” (or editions), every 5 to 6 years. Each country may decide how to collect the data. In Belgium, the data from our own National Health Survey is usually used, adapted to European requirements.
So far, there have been three EHIS waves:
- First edition (2006–2009): 17 EU countries took part voluntarily, as well as Switzerland and Turkey. In Belgium, data from the 2008 National Health Survey was used.
- Second edition (2013–2015): all EU countries participated, along with Iceland, Norway, and Turkey. Belgium used data from the 2013 National Health Survey.
- Third edition (2019): carried out in all EU countries. Belgium used data from the 2018 National Health Survey.
The National Health Survey is organized every five years. The most recent survey took place in 2023–2024. Previously, the results from this survey were used to feed into EHIS. However, this year the timing of the two surveys does not overlap. The EHIS period does not coincide with that of the National Health Survey, which means that the data collected in 2023–2024 cannot be used.
That is why a new survey is being organised: the Great Health Survey 2025, in order to meet European requirements.
A total of 6,500 people has been randomly selected based on data from the National Register. These individuals will receive an invitation letter to participate. The survey is completed mainly online, but a paper version is also available upon request.
Have you been invited to take part in this survey? Go to the participants’ page
