ABSTRACT
In this analysis we use both balanced samples of respondents, for whom information on all the required variables is reported at each of the eight waves used here, and unbalanced samples, which exploit all available observations for wave 1 respondents. Neither sample includes new entrants to the BHPS; the samples only track all of those who were observed at wave 1. In this sense, the analysis treats the sample as a cohort consisting of all those present at wave 1. To be included in the analysis individuals must be ‘original sample members’ (OSMs) who were aged 16 or over and who provided a valid response for the health measures at wave 1. Our broad definition of non-response encompasses all individuals who are missing at subsequent waves.
