Collects information at the State, regional and local government area levels about the health, lifestyle and wellbeing of adult Victorians aged 18 years and over.

Preface
The Victorian Population Health Survey is an important component of the population health surveillance capacity of Victoria’s Department of Health & Human Services. The department initiated the surveillance program in 1998, and the first survey of adult Victorians was conducted in 2001.

The Victorian Population Health Survey is based on core question modules that are critical to informing decisions about public health policies and programs. The findings from the survey fill a significant information gap by providing analysed data that is needed to ensure that public health programs remain relevant and responsive to current and emerging health issues.

Data from the Victorian Population Health Survey is used extensively across the government and non-government sectors of Victoria. The survey provides quality data for a range of indicators of public health importance at state and local government area levels and is used to: provide evidence to inform decisions about local priorities for municipal public health and wellbeing plans; inform planning in non-government health organisations; inform planning, reporting and decision making in the department; and measure trends over time for key health indicators such as diabetes, smoking prevalence and overweight and obesity.

The value of the survey data is increasing over time as it becomes possible to comment on trends for selected survey estimates. As our population ages, the number of people with a chronic disease is expected to rise, greatly affecting the health and wellbeing of the population. The survey findings give us important insights into the determinants of chronic disease and how we might better target public health interventions.

The annual survey series is an ongoing source of quality information on the health of Victorians and these latest findings from the Victorian Population Health Survey 2012 will underpin our public health efforts, especially in controlling chronic disease.