This dataset provides 2011 estimates that classify usual residents in England and Wales by long-term health problems or disabilities. The estimates are as at census day, 27 March 2011.

The information is used to help develop and monitor equality policy. These policies relate especially to the delivery of health care, assessment of progress towards better population health, and the reduction of health inequalities. Statistics on disability are also useful for devising policies to improve access to services, such as adult education and leisure facilities.

Estimates from the 2001 Census in table UV22 provided information about the number of people who had a limiting long-term illness.

In order to protect against disclosure of personal information from the 2011 Census, there has been swapping of records in the Census database between different geographic areas, and so some counts will be affected. In the main, the greatest effects will be at the lowest geographies, since the record swapping is targeted towards those households with unusual characteristics in small areas.

More details on the ONS Census disclosure control strategy may be found on the Statistical Disclosure Control page on the ONS web site.