Table 1 Overview of the contents of the survey instrument

EHSM

European Health Status Module

HS

Health Status – Minimum European Health Module

CD

Diseases and chronic conditions; self-reported 12-month-prevalences

Diseases and chronic conditions, ever diagnosed by a medical doctor

Additional diseases were included such as heart failure, cancer, osteoporosis, gastro-intestinal diseases, increased blood-lipids

Module on diabetes care: age of onset, gestational diabetes, recent treatment, preventive measures, consequences of diabetes, family history etc.

AC

Accidents and injuries

Work-related accidents and injuries

AW

Absence form work (due to health problems)

Officially recognized disability

PL

Physical and sensory functional limitations

PC

Personal care activities

HA

Household activities

PN

Pain

MH

Mental health

ECHM

European Health Care Module

HO

Use of inpatient and day care

AM

Use of ambulatory and home care

Number of consultations of medical doctors/specialist in the past 12 month

MD

Medicine use

PA

Preventive services

Module on vaccinations: influenza vaccination in the last winter seasons, vaccinations against tetanus, measles, pertussis, pneumococcus, knowledge and attitudes on vaccinations etc.

Reason for last mammography

EHDM

European Health Determinants Module

BM

Weight and height

PE

Physical activity / exercise

Questions on stages of change for physical activity (according to transtheoretical model [17]), motivations and barriers for physical activity

FV

Consumption of fruit and vegetables

Number of portions per week

SK

Smoking

Age of onset, age of cessation, tobacco products, current/never/former smokers

AL

Alcohol consumption

SS

Social support

IC

Provision of informal care or assistance

GEDA additional modules

Health awareness, self-efficacy, addiction problems in the social network, health literacy [15, 19, 20], working conditions, knowledge about stroke symptoms

Core social variables

Sex, age, country of residence birth, and citizenship, degree of urbanization, marital status, level of education, labour status, employment status, economic sector in employment, household composition, household income.

Working-related health risks, unemployment, subjective social status, health insurance, country of birth of mother and father