Health survey provides latest data on children’s health

About the study

The Health Survey for England 2022 Part 1 is the latest in a long-running series of surveys carried out by the National Centre for Social Research, with UCL, on behalf of NHS England. The survey series covers core topics every year, including general health and key lifestyle behaviours that influence health, and social care.

Findings

• 13% of adults reported currently smoking cigarettes in 2022.
• 9% of adults reported currently used e-cigarettes.
  • Current cigarette smokers were more likely to use e-cigarettes compared with those who have never smoked cigarettes (26% and 2%, respectively).
• 29% of adults ate 5 or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day, and 7% ate no fruit or vegetables. 
• A higher proportion of men (32%) than women (15%) drank at levels that put them at increasing or higher risk of alcohol-related harm (over 14 units in the last week).
  • In 2022, more men (84%) than women (78%) had drunk alcohol in the last 12 months.
• The proportion of children aged 8 to 15 who have ever tried a cigarette decreased from 19% in 1997 to 3% in 2022. 
• In 2022, 12% of children aged 8 to 15 had ever used an e-cigarette or vaping device. 
• The proportion of children aged 8 to 15 who had ever drunk alcohol fell from 45% in 2003 to 14% in 2022. 

Methodology

The HSE is a survey designed to be representative of adults and children living in England. 7,729 adults and 1,393 children were interviewed in their homes. A subsample of participants were also visited by a biomedical fieldworker who measured blood pressure and took samples of blood, saliva, and urine. Fieldwork took place between January 2022 and October 2023.