Disability: long-term limiting illness

Chart 1 shows the percentage of individuals within each NHS Board area who, at the time of the 2001 Census, perceived themselves as having a long-term illness, health problem or disability which limits their daily activities or the work they can do (note that this includes problems due to old age). Nationally, one in five of the population (20.3%) fall into this category; at a NHS board level, the figures vary from just under 16% in Shetland to almost 24% in Greater Glasgow.

Chart 2 presents the same data, but for council area of residence rather than NHS Board. However, the variation across the different areas is similar to that shown in Chart 1, with the figures ranging from 15% (in Aberdeenshire) to 26% (Glasgow City).