There are a number of UK based longitudinal cohort studies that provide information on children and young people’s lives and how these relate to later outcomes. These studies involving repeatedly surveying the same individuals.
- Millennium Cohort Study
UK, children born 2000/01 - 1970 British Cohort Study
Great Britain, children born 1970 - 1958 National Child Development Study
Great Britain, children born 1958 - Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
Bristol, children both 1991/92 - Born in Bradford
Bradford, children born 2007-10 - Growing Up in Scotland
Scotland, multiple cohorts, children born 2002/03, 2004/05, and 2010/11 - Longitudinal Study of Young People in England
England, children born 1989/90, followed from 2004 when aged 13/14
Each of the four UK nations runs a national health survey. These surveys involve asking different people similar questions about their health over many years and include both children and adults.
- Health Survey for England
Established 1991 - Scottish Health Survey
Established 1995 - Welsh Health Survey
Established 2003/04 - Northern Ireland Health Survey
Established 2010/11
There are a number of surveys providing information on health related behaviours of children and young people.
- Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children
International study established 1982 and coordinated by the World Health Organisation. 43 countries have participated including England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland. Focuses on children in school aged 11, 13, and 15. - Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England
Initial Great Britain, latterly England, established 1982, children in school aged 11-15. - Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey
Scotland, established 2002, children in school aged 13 and 15.
There are a number of specialist UK based surveys that focus on particular aspects of child public health.
- Infant Feeding Survey
UK, established 1975, conducted every 5 years, information on breastfeeding and weaning along with maternal smoking and alcohol use. The National Obesity Observatory also lists a range of other surveys that provide information on children’s nutrition, obesity levels, and physical activity. - OPCS Surveys of Disability
Great Britain, conducted 1985/86, children and adults, no website. The Family Resources Survey has attempted to provide updated estimates of the numbers of people living with disability. - ONS Surveys of Psychiatric Morbidity: Mental Health of Children and Young People in Great Britain, 2004
Great Britain, conducted 2004 (and previously in 1999), information on mental health problems in children aged 5-16. - Measuring national well-being programme
ONS has established a composite suite of measures that together reflect population well-being in the UK. Data are drawn from a variety of sources including national surveys. A range of publications have been issued including some focusing specifically on children’s well-being
There are lots of other national surveys that provide contextual information on children’s lives, for example the General Household Survey/General Lifestyle Survey, the Households Below Average Income Survey, and the Young People’s Social Attitudes Survey. You can browse for relevant surveys on the following websites.