Use of the Nottingham Health Profile to test the validity of census variables to proxy the need for health care

Data on health or health service use are invariably used to test the validity of proxy measures of need, for use in resource allocation formulae. Perceived health state is a good measure to use in this respect, as it is closely linked to perceived need and the decision to consult health services. This being the case, a large community based study was undertaken which collected data on perceived health, using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), with the aim of testing the validity of a variety of Census based measures as proxy measures of the need for health care.

A postal questionnaire survey of 9565 people living in the former South East Thames Regional Health Authority was conducted and the relationship between their perceived health state and the socio-economic characteristics of their electoral ward of residence analysed.

A relatively low response rate (59 per cent) weakened any conclusions to be drawn from the results. However, significant correlations between perceived health and a variety of the Census based indicators were found. The highly skewed distribution of responses to the NHP statements made the results difficult to analyse and interpret.

Although the study gave an indication of those variables that might be incorporated into resource allocation formulae, the NHP is not a particularly efficient instrument to use in a community setting. It is argued that the appropriateness of an approach to determining appropriate needs weights in allocation formulae, which attempts to find one indicator of all health care needs at the District Health Authority level, must be questioned.