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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The Department of Health is currently conducting the 2023 Victorian Population Health Survey - a telephone survey using mobile phones.
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We have completed the fieldwork for the 2022 Victorian Population Health Survey and the data is currently being analysed and will be released in 2023.
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Information and documents relating to the 2020 population .
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Information and documents relating to the 2019 population survey.
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Information and documents relating to the 2018 population survey.
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Information and documents relating to the 2017 population 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, presenting 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.
2001
Victorian Burden of Disease StudyVictorian population health survey 2001: selected findings2002
Victorian population health survey 2002: selected findings2003
Victorian population health survey 2003: selected findingsVictorian Health Monitor reportVictorian Health Monitor Prevalence of Indicators for Chronic Kidney Disease reportVictorian Health Monitor Diet and Indicators for Chronic Kidney Disease reportVictorian Health Monitor Food and Nutrition report2004
Victorian population health survey 2004: Selected findings2005
Victorian population health survey 2005: selected findings2006
Victorian population health survey 2006: selected findings2007
Victorian population health survey 2007: selected findings2008
The health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Victorians: Victorian Population Health Survey 2008 - Supplementary reportThe health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Victorians: Victorian Population Health Survey 2008 - Supplementary report2009
Victorian population health survey 2009: selected findingsThe health and wellbeing of adult Victorians affected by the bushfires in 2009The health and wellbeing of Victorian adults affected by the bushfires in 2009 - Fact sheetVictorian population health survey of people with an intellectual disability - summary of findingsVictorian Population Health Survey of People with an Intellectual Disability 2009Health of Victorian adults with an intellectual disability - easy readVictorian population health survey 2009: selected findingsConnecting with others - Victorians with an intellectual disabilityChoice of drinks to improve oral health in Victorians with an intellectual disabilityDepression and Victorians with an intellectual disabilityEight areas for action to improve the health of Victorians with an intellectual disabilityEye health of Victorians with an intellectual disabilityFruit and vegetable intake of Victorians with an intellectual disabilityBreast screening and Victorian women with an intellectual disabilityHealth of Victorian women with an intellectual disabilityPap tests and Victorian women with an intellectual disabilityPhysical activity and Victorians with an intellectual disabilitySmoking, nutrition, alcohol and physical activity levels of Victorians with an intellectual disability2010
Victorian Population Health Survey 2010: selected findingsBarwon-South Western Region: Selected findings, VPHS 2010Eastern Region: Selected findings, VPHS 2010Gippsland Region: Selected findings, VPHS 2010Grampians Region: Selected findings, VPHS 2010Loddon Mallee Region: Selected findings VPHS 2010Hume Region: Selected findings VPHS 2010North and West Metropolitan Region: Selected findings, VPHS 2010Southern Metropolitan Region: Selected findings, VPHS 20102011
Victorian population health survey 2011-12: Selected findings - 1. MethodsVictorian population health survey 2011-12: Selected findings - 2. Modifiable health risk factorsVictorian population health survey 2011-12: Selected findings - 3. Biomedical checks and cancer screeningVictorian Population Health Survey 2011-12: Selected Preliminary Results - GippslandVictorian population health survey 2011-12: Selected findings - 4. Oral healthVictorian population health survey 2011-12: Selected findings - 5. Self-reported health and selected chronic diseasesVictorian population health survey 2011-12: Selected findings - 6. Eye healthVictorian population health survey 2011-12: Selected findings - 7. AsthmaVictorian population health survey 2011-12: Selected findings - 8. DiabetesVictorian Population Health Survey 2011-12: FindingsVictorian Population Health Survey 2011-12, Social Capital report2013
Victorian population health survey 2013Health of Victorian adults with an intellectual disability 2013 - easy readDepression and Victorians with an intellectual disability 2013Physical activity and Victorians with an intellectual disability 2013Oral health and Victorians with an intellectual disability 2013Victorian Population Health Survey of People with an Intellectual Disability 2013Breast screening and Victorian women with an intellectual disability 2013Victorian population health survey of people with an intellectual disability 2013 - summary of findings2014
Victorian Population Health Survey 2014 - Modifiable risk factors contributing to chronic disease in VictoriaVictorian Population Health Survey 2014 - Snapshot of modifiable risk factors contributing to chronic disease in VictoriaVictorian Population Health Survey 2014: Quick statistics at local government areaVictorian Population Health Survey 2014 - Health and wellbeing, chronic conditions, screening and eye healthVictorian Population Health Survey 2014 - snapshot of health and wellbeing, chronic conditions, screening and eye health
Reviewed 16 March 2023