Measuring aspects of women's life and work for the study of variations in health

Studies of occupation and health commonly examine only men. This paper draws on reviews of inequalities in health carried out by the Office for National Statistics in London which in recent years have focused more on women.

Many sources of official statistics such as censuses, surveys, vital registration and health service records are used to explore different ways of measuring and monitoring economic activity, education, socio-economic, and family status and their impact on fertility and health among women.

Taking a life cycle approach we first look at fertility and family formation, the time around childbirth, age 15-49, and finally 50+. Some relevant health issues are used to illustrate how we use available data to describe and monitor inequalities in health.

In Britain, there is a wealth of information and linked data sources which enable us to analyze patterns and trends in fertility, morbidity, and mortality. Nevertheless, none of the traditional data sources or methods of analysis are suitable for all purposes nor for keeping up with changes in society. Sources of official statistics and ways of linking and analyzing need then to be continuously developed.