The long view

Analysis of ethnic group differences in self-reported limiting long term illness maps the changing situation in the UK population during the 1990s.  While all ethnic groups reported a higher prevalence in 2001 than in 1991, the rise was largest amongst the White Irish, Pakistani and Bangladeshi groups.  Early analysis of data from the GP Patient Survey, which for the first time included health-related quality of life questions, reveals significant geographical and socioeconomic variation, particularly as regards long term conditions.