The HIS/HES database presents an inventory of national or multi-country health surveys implemented in EU Member States as well as EFTA countries, EU Candidate Countries and USA, Canada and Australia. The types of surveys incorporated into the database include Health Interview Surveys (HIS), Health Examination Surveys (HES) and combined HIS/HES Surveys.

The HIS part of the database covers interview questions (in national language and an English translation). The HES part covers health status components and measurements, e.g. collection and analysis of blood samples. The methodological information in both HIS and HES parts refer to information on the sampling frame, numbers of persons or households participating, response rates, mode of data collection, standard instruments used, contact person, inclusion of institutionalised persons, availability of data for analysis, etc.

At the moment (7/2010) there are 206 HIS, 13 HES and 24 combined HIS/HES Surveys in the database. HIS surveys included in the database have mainly been executed between 1991–2008, HES  between 1999–2007 and combined HIS/HES between 1995–2007. The database is being updated continuously. By using the database it is possible to:

• Perform searches of surveys by region, country, coverage (multi-country or national), type (HIS, HES, HIS/HES), year and/or survey code
• Perform searches of questions or measurements by using a health topic
• Familiarise with the methodology of each survey
• Consult the database for reference instruments and protocols
• Compare health surveys between countries
• Identify institutions and contact persons responsible for each health survey