Usage of the ELSA datasets

This page contains information from users who have downloaded the ELSA data and who have agreed to have their project information shared. Users can opt to be included or to amend the details held for them by changing their project registration details.

• Living environment, social participation and wellbeing in older age – Dr Wojtek Tomaszewski (University of Queensland, Australia – Institute for Social Science Research). June 2012

  This study explores the links between the quality of the living environment, social participation and wellbeing in older age from a cross-national perspective. The research uses a broad definition of the living environment, capturing the quality of the individual dwelling as well as the characteristics of the neighbourhood, and including both objective and subjective measures. Cross-national comparisons are drawn based on data for Australia (HILDA), UK (ELSA), and Europe (SHARE).

• Who Uses Telecare? – Mr James Lloyd (The Strategic Society Centre – Social Policy and Administration). June 2012

  Secondary analysis of ELSA Wave 4 into the characteristics of telecare users in the older population in England. The analysis will compare the demographic, socio-economic and other characteristics with similar non-users.

• Women's financial status – Dr Deanna Sharpe (University of Missouri – Personal Financial Planning). June 2012

  Cross country analysis of the financial status of older women, including source and amount of assets, income, and claim to formal and informal transfers. Ties to employment market are also considered.

• Changepoint detection – Dr Alexis Boukouvalas (Aston University – Mathematics). September 2011

  In the ARCHA project (http://www1.aston.ac.uk/archa/) we are interested in analysing longitudinal time series data to infer from a statistical viewpoint at which points the system changes behaviour. The number and length of such series is a priori unknown. Therefore the development and application of flexible methods for the changepoint detection will be necessary.

• Ageing Longitudinal - Blue vs White Collar workers – Professor Hetty van Emmerik (Maastricht University – Business School). September 2011

  The focus of the project are different patterns of ageing for Blue and White Collar workers and how this may affect their work and life outcomes within a longitudinal setting.

• Individual and neighbourhood level deprivation and health outcomes – Dr Jonathan Cox (University of East Anglia – Med). August 2011

  Analysis of relationship between individual and neighbourhood deprivation and health outcomes. The study will aim to understand influences of individual and neighbourhood level measures of deprivation on health status and outcomes to determine if contributions of individual circumstances and neighbour environment can be estimated.

• Understanding Health Across the Lifecourse: An Integrated Developmental Approach – Miss Susan Yoon. July 2011

  The goal of this research is to produce an integrated framework to jointly model the economic, social and biological mechanisms that produce the evolution and the intergenerational transmission of health and of the capabilities that foster health. We will investigate the life cycle and intergenerational determinants of health, and the life cycle factors that produce these determinants. We will compare the relative effectiveness of interventions at various stages of the life cycle and the benefits and costs of later remediation if early adversity is not adequately eliminated. We will investigate causal channels for promoting health that will guide public policy. The proposed research will guide the design of current and prospective experimental and longitudinal studies and policy formulation. Funding Source: ERC (European Research Council).
  Other surveys used: BCS70 UKHLS MCS.

• Reserach – Dr Charlotte Salter (University of East Anglia – Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences). June 2011

  I am interested in the health and social status of older people and the socioeconomic determinants of health and health literacy. I am planning to develop a funded project to develop an analytical framework for analysis relevant aspects of ELSA.

• Labour market discrimination research – Mr Muhammad Anees. June 2011

  The data will be utilized in the detailed discussion of labour market discrimination in the UK. Cross sectional estimation techniques will be implemented following standard oaxaca-blinder techniques for differential analysis along with the recently developed counterfactual distribution techniques developed by Machado-Mata (2005).
  Other surveys used: LFS HSE EFS GHS BSA IHS UKHLS.

• Age Well: mental health in later life of the 1946-1955 birth cohort – Ms Janis Grant. June 2011

  The Mental Health Foundation has funding to research the issues that will affect the mental health and mental wellbeing of the first cohort of the so-called 'baby boomers' as they move towards retirement and later life. Whilst incidence of a range of mental health conditions reduces as people pass the age of 65, old age is often accompanied by a range of depressive symptoms that are frequently seen as a 'normal part of ageing'. ELSA data on this birth cohort will be used to provide information about a range of circumstances and conditions including family relationships, health, mental health, and financial resources to help assess potential risk and protective factors for mental health. This is part of a wider study that includes quantitative surveys and in-depth interviews.

• Ongoing research into the demographic; socio-demographic and personal correlates of tobacco smoking – Professor Martin Jarvis (UCL – epidemiology & public health). June 2011

  The GHS is the principal source of data on tobacco smoking behaviour for Great Britain. I have analysed the GHS data for all years since 1973 in order to study numerous aspects of smoking and its determinants. Interests include (1) calculation of smoking cessation rates in ever smokers (quit ratios) adjusted for pipe and cigar smoking in order to examine gender differences in smoking cessation; (2) study of cigarette smoking and cessation in relation to a variety of indicators of socio-economic status; (3) use of cigarette brand choice as reported in the GHS to generate market share estimates and contribute to sales-weighted cigarette yields that are independent of tobacco industry sources; and (4) comparison of smoking prevalence estimates from the GHS with those derived from the ONS Omnibus survey. HSE and ONS Omnibus surveys give complementary smoking data; but the GHS is the source of official GB prevalence data. I wish to continue these lines of research by adding to existing time-series data that I have extracted from previous GHS data sets.
  Other surveys used: HSE Omnibus GHS IHS SHES.

• Exploring Social Capital – Professor Jennifer Roberts (University of Sheffield – Economics). June 2011

  This project will use the SHARE and ELSA data sets to explore the determinants of social capital among older people and also to estimate the contribution of social capital to health and subjective well-being. The method involves econometric models based on individual level data.

• Health and cognitive function – Ms Vasant Hirani (UCL – Epidemiology and Public health). May 2011

  I am interested in looking at anthropometric measures such as Body Mass Index and waist circumference on cogntive function and physical health status such as chronic conditions (cardiovascular disease; musculoskeletal conditions; hypertension; diabtes) with ageing

• Comparative study of physical measures in HRS and its sister studies – Min Hee Kim. May 2011

  Led by John Bound and Mary Beth Ofstedal; this study will use ELSA data to compare the differences in the way individuals in different countries respond to global health items such as self-rated health.

• SILVER SURFERS AND INTERNET – Dr NICHOLAS TSITSIANIS (University of Hertfordshire – ACCOUNTING FINANCE and ECONOMICS). May 2011

  This is part of the PH.D. project which intends to unveil the trends and the determinants of the internet on behalf of the "Silver Surfers" (internet users aged 50+). We have already constructed a Conceptual Framework and we intend to look more thoroghly into the determinants of computer usage by silver surfers.

• Korea_Min – Professor Kyoungbok Min. May 2011

  I am interested in the association between workers health and working conditions. I will 1) compare working conditions of Korean and European workers as to whether their different working environments affect health and other problems; 2) study specific working conditions and occupational injury and accidents; especially in elderly. In addition; I will study the association of social and health problems (using a mental and biochemical health index) in adults with the developmental circumstances in their childhood. I hypothesize that parent's education and income and certain behaviours (alcohol and smoking) at under 10 years of age are the main determinants of social problems and chronic diseases in adulthood.
  Other surveys used: NCDS BCS70.

• Scalability of self-report measures – Dr Matthew Hankins (University of Southampton – Faculty of Health Sciences). May 2011

  This usage intends to use self-report data from questionnaire measures used in health surveys to establish the degree to which these measures form homogenous scales; i.e. the degree to which the item-total score actually reflects the rank ordering of respondents.

• Personality; well being and health – Ms Cathie Hammond. April 2011

  I wish to examine relationships between personality; well being and health. Because these relationships are best understood within the context of the life course I will use the NCDS datasets. In the first stage of the research; I will describe and summarise the data relating to personality amongst 50 year old members of the NCDS cohort. I will then examine the determinants of personality at age 50; including measures of behaviour; well being and health during childhood. Finally; amongst the 50 year old cohort members; I will investigate the relationships between personality; well being; general health; and specific health conditions. The research is not funded.
  Other surveys used: NCDS.

• A multidisciplinary approach for supporting an ageing population – Professor Robert West (University of Leeds – Division of Biostatistics). April 2011

  Population ageing is creating new challenges and opportunities worldwide. Governments and NGOs are exercised in responding to the global challenge of successful population ageing and demographic transition. As the demographic transition proceeds; relationships and interactions between ageing; health and wellbeing are changing; leading to new relationships between (for example) such concepts as health and wellbeing; morbidity and mortality. For example; older age groups experience a higher prevalence of co-morbid conditions than younger; and these may co-exist alongside high levels of function and wellbeing; together with rising life expectancy. These factors challenge current concepts and definitions of 'healthy ageing'. Analysis of existing longitudinal data sets can be used to explore the relationship between conventional co-morbid factors (such as disease states); emerging health issues in ageing (such as obesity; frailty and sarcopaenia); and transitions in health and wellbeing with ageing. There are now numerous longitudinal cohort studies; many of which have recorded information in the same or similar dimensions across the world. Prominent examples include ELSA (UK); TILDA (Eire); SHARE (EU); MRC CFAS (UK); HRS (USA) and CAMB (Denmark). The data generated by these and other studies with prospective and longitudinal waves of data collection represents an important; fascinating and precious resource. Research funders internationally are beginning to recognise that this resource is currently under-exploited and not reaching its potential for informative analysis and international comparison.

• Aging in migrant communities – Dr Laurence Brown (University of Manchester – History). April 2011

  This project explores aging in migrant communities comparing the social networks constructed by elderly Caribbean and South Asian migrants over the past two decades.

• Social Participation and Health – Dr Catherine Haslam (University of Exeter – Psychology). April 2011

  We are seeking to explore the contribution of social participation on people's general health and well-being. The longitudinal database contains key information on social participation; general health; cognitive integrity and well-being in an elderly UK population allowing to address this question over time; which helps to answer questions of causality. The analysis is not supported by grant funding.

• The epidemiology and geography of alcohol use among the elderly – Dr Nicola Shelton (UCL – Department of Epidemiology and Public Health). April 2011

  The study will look at the social and geographical patterning and other risk factors for abstention; sensible drinking and drinking alcohol beyond recommended limits in the elderly English population.

• Inequalities in pension provision – Mr Jonathan Smetherham. April 2011

  The purpose of this research is to use multivariate logistic regression to investigate which factors effect the likelihood that an individual will contribute to a private pension scheme. The research is being done in collaboration with Liam Foster (Sheffield University).
  Other surveys used: GHS.

• Replication and extension of Felitti et al. (1998) – Dr Michael Daly (University of Manchester – Psychology). April 2011

  This project aims to test the relationship between retrospectively assessed household dysfunction and parental maltreatment and adult health. In addition; it aims to test if the role of household dysfunction and parental maltreatment can be separated from differences in childhood socioeconomic status and health. Methods: This study will utilize Waves 1-4 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Participants retrospective ratings of childhood maltreatment will be linked to self-rated health and chronic illness in adulthood. Mediators to be examined will include behaviour; affect; psychosocial resources; and psychobiological functioning. This study aims to replicate and extend findings from Felitti VJ; Anda RF; Nordenberg D; et al. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study. Am J Prev Med 1998; 14: 245-258
  Other surveys used: NCDS BCS70 MCS HSE ADULT PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY SURVEY; 2007 Omnibus BEHAVIOUR FOR WELL-BEING; ENVIRONMENT AND LIFE; 2010 NATIONAL EVALUATION OF SURE START; 2003-2007.

• Skills for Care and Development – Miss Emanuela Carta. March 2011

  Skills for Care and Development (SfC&D) is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for those working in early years; children and young people's services; and those working in social work and social care for children and adults in the UK representing more than 60;000 employers and 1.87 million workers. SfC&D wishes to undertake secondary research into the career trajectories/career profiles of workers in the care and development sector to help stakeholders and employers to better understand the supply of skilled labour in the sector. We work in partnership with researchers from SfC&D; reviewing the literature on career trajectories/career profiles and implementing an empirical analysis based on micro data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS); the Annual Population Survey (APS) and potentially the National Child Development Study (NCDS) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) for particular professions defined as the 'footprint of the sector'. The empirical work will analyse all important variables affecting the occupational position and career decisions (moving sectors; leaving or entering the sector) of individuals employed in the sector.
  Other surveys used: NCDS.

• Statistical Methods in Aging; Analytical Research Training – Dr Sean Clouston. March 2011

  The Statistical Methods in Aging; Analytical Research Training (SMAART): Longitudinal Analysis will be held in May16-20; 2011 at the University of Victoria; hosted by CIHR and the University of Victoria; Centre on Aging. The course will provide training in the analysis of longitudinal data and in the particular issues that are relevant to research on aging-related change.

• Health & Disease – Dr Stephen Handsley (De Montfort University – Faculty of health and life sciences). March 2011

  Teaching second year BA Health Studies undergraduate students on a social research module how to work with data. They are being asked to consider how this data might be used to create a community profile. This will enable them to map community assets and priorities for tackling health ineqaulities.

• Retirement; resources; and health – Mrs Ina Schoellgen. March 2011

  The effect of retirement on health and well-being will be investigated using ELSA data. Moreover; it will be explored which resources (e.g.; financial; social; psychological) are most important for adjustment.

• Health and wellbeing – Dr Bernard Van den Berg (University of York – Centre for Health Economics). February 2011

  Measuring health and wellbeing of UK population. This also includes interdependent utility functions. Moreover; we will explore valuation of health related behaviour of individuals and households. Also use of health services and health and wellbeing will be measured and valued.
  Other surveys used: HSE.

• Care transitions – Dr Karen Glaser (King's College London – Institute of Gerontology). February 2011

  Concerns regarding the costs of population ageing have led to substantial changes in long-term care policies (defined as both institutional and home care) in many industrialised societies. Reforms have largely sought to reduce institutional care (e.g. residential home provision) and access to home care services (e.g. community nursing, home help and meals) by targeting services to the most disabled older individuals. The implicit assumption underlying these policy changes is that the family will be willing and able to take on the care of frail older relatives. Thus, understanding the impact of family structure and histories on the receipt of help in later life is a critical policy issue. To date, most studies which have examined the determinants of help are cross-sectional: few include family characteristics other than marital status or living arrangements. Moreover, little research has examined the impact of family structure and histories on changes in informal and formal help over time. Therefore, this study will investigate the association between family histories (events and their timing) and the receipt of informal and formal help (and changes in help) at older ages in England.

• Food Labelling Study – Dr Richard Milne (University of Sheffield – Geography). February 2011

  The data will be used to provide a background to new research on consumer understandings of food; particularly among older people and focussing on date labelling. This research is part of the European Research Council funded CONANX project at the University of Sheffield.
  Other surveys used: NFS NOTTINGHAM STUDY OF FOOD CHOICE IN LATER LIFE; 1994-1996 FOOD AND YOU SURVEY; 2010 Omnibus.

• retirement and life satisfaction – Mrs Elizabeth Horner. February 2011

  I am simply extending my research topic to include satisfaction with retirement. I will be looking at reported satisfaction as a function of national retirement programs. I will also look at other countries' data; in so far as they collect sufficient information on retirement.

• Secondary analysis of sleep – Dr Robert Meadows (University of Surrey – Sociology). December 2010

  To replicate analysis carried out on earlier waves of the Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. Sleep questions will be analysed to explore the relationship between gender; age; socio-economic status and subjective sleep quality

• Extending working life and Attitudes to pensions – Dr Alan Buckingham (University of Bath – School for health). December 2010

  To review and summarise what is know of public attitudes and behaviour regarding working life - including pensions and provision for retirment; summarise and interpret key findings and establish insights into decision making.
  Other surveys used: BSA LFS.

• Retirement transition – Miss Hui Yu Tseng (University of Cambridge – Public Health and Primary Care). November 2010

  To establish levels of vulnerability to poverty in retirement among groups of old people; what scope people in each have for taking action and what support they would need in order to do so.

• Age UK charity work – Dr Susan Davidson. November 2010

  Age UK's purpose is to improve the lives of older people. We collect information about the older population from publicly available sources (such as ONS; DH; etc) at national; regional; and local authority level to help us determine areas and topics of need (such as care and support; health and wellbeing; etc). We would like to add ELSA data to help us understand the older population even more. We never use or distribute data about individuals; the smallest scale useful to us is by local authority.

• Research on subjective probability data – Mr DONG OOK CHOI. October 2010

  Along with Prof. Bemmaor in Marketing department at ESSEC business school in France; we try to develop a method to process biases in subjective probability data. By looking at subjective survival probability questions in ELSA (UK); SHARE (Europe) and HRS (USA); we identify common biases in these samples and see if they have predictive validity for actual survival.

• Modelling wealth taxes – Ms Kayte Lawton. October 2010

  Funded by the Nuffield Foundation; this project is looking at the feasibility of constructing a model of wealth in the UK among different family types using existing data sources; including the Wealth and Assets Survey. If we find that there is sufficient data on wealth ownership and transfers in the WAS and/or other household surveys; the next stage of the project will involve constructing the model. Ippr is currently undertaking a project to construct a model of wealth ownership and transfers in the UK. The first stage of the project is to test the technical adequacy of existing UK datasets for constructing such a model. In order to do this; we need to draw on existing datasets containing information about wealth ownership and transfers within different households. The WAS dataset is the best available source of detailed data on wealth ownership in the UK. There are several tax-benefit models in existence in the UK which can analyse the effects on income; and the distribution of income; of changes to the tax; tax credit and benefit systems. Ippr has recently developed such a model. However; distributional analysis of the effects of taxation and transfers of wealth - for example inheritance tax and stamp duty on house purchases - is almost non-existent in policy discussions. This is partly because there is currently no tax-benefit model in the UK that incorporates wealth as well as income so it is difficult to present reliable information about how changes to wealth taxation may affect different kinds of households. Ippr is keen to supplement its existing model with data on the distribution of household wealth. Household-level data of reasonably good quality on assets and wealth have been available in the UK since the mid-1990s with the publication of the first wealth sweep of the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) and more recently with the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing (for the population over 50). Academics have used this data for analysis of the UK wealth distribution and comparisons with other countries. However; these have been one-off bespoke analyses of wealth data. This project aims to fill an important gap by developing a model which is regularly maintained and can be used to analyse policy proposals for changes to wealth taxation on an ongoing basis.
  Other surveys used: HSE FRS GHS HBAI EFS LFS.

• Using Bayesian Networks – Dr Pankaj Patel. October 2010

  One of the central issues in organization litreature are employee outcomes. While numerous outcomes have been made available in the recent years such as commitment; satisfaction etc; we do not know the nature of criticality among these outcomes. In other words; what is the dependence of among outcomes. Using Bayesian Network approach; I look at Employee outcomes and their order to establish critical nature of outcomes. The research question helps employers decide which approach is the most critical outcome.
  Other surveys used: .

• Questionnaire analysis - MultiMemoHome – Dr Maria Wolters (University of Edinburgh – Informatics). September 2010

  The MultiMemoHome project; sponsored by EPSRC; is concerned with the design of reminder systems for the home. Within this project; we are conducting a large questionnaire study with users. The socioeconomic status of participants will be coded based on post code using the ACORNS database.

• Alcohol consumption – Mr Dennis Petrie (University of Dundee – Economic Studies). September 2010

  Exploring the use of this data to examine the changes and determinates of consumption patterns with regard to alcohol consumption. And to use this to examine the influence of these patterns on future outcomes
  Other surveys used: NCDS BCS70 EFS.

• CHANCES project – Dr Simone Croezen (UCL – Epidemiology and Public Health). September 2010

  The CHANCES project aims to develop a reliable and standardized instrument to assess health and ageing-related outcomes in a comparable fashion in European ageing populations; to be applied in selected cohorts participating in CHANCES; such as the ELSA cohort. CHANCES is funded by the FP7 of the EC.

• The Care Life Cycle: Responding to the Health and Social Care Needs of an Ageing Society – Dr Richard Shaw (University of Southampton – School of Social Sciences). September 2010

  The UK's population is ageing and given that older people are the major users of health and social care services this presents a major challenge for policymakers. As well as increasing the demand for care, population ageing is affecting the supply of care professionals as the health workforce itself ages. Data sets, including ELSA and the BHPS, will be used to inform models predicting the demand for health and social care and the workforce available to meet that demand.
  Other surveys used: SURVEY OF SELF-FUNDED ADMISSIONS TO CARE HOMES; 1999-2000 GHS HSE ADULT PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY SURVEY; 2007 UKHLS LFS.

• Research – Miss Emanuela Carta. August 2010

  I intend to use this data to analyse factors related to self-employment in UK. The final report will use only aggregate data.
  Other surveys used: LFS APS TimeUse.

• Research background – Dr Neal Hinvest (University of Bath – Psychology). August 2010

  This data will be used by myself and colleagues to gain information concerning individual saving behaviour; in other words; attitudes towards saving their money. This data will be used as background in research publications and a grant application.
  Other surveys used: Omnibus.

• A study of young people's pension planning in the UK – Dr Liam Foster (University of Sheffield – Sociological Studies). August 2010

  The WAS data is required as part of a grant application. A first draft of the proposal is included here. Introduction - There has been national and international concern about ageing populations and rising pension deficits (Foster; 2010). At the same time there has been much debate about how to improve pensions and quality of life of the poorest pensioners; many of whom are women (Foster; 2008; Ginn et al; 2001; Ginn; 2003; Price; 2007; 2008). There is also evidence of increasing polarisation in employment with improved income and pension opportunities available to some in higher paid positions while others have remained in poorly paid employment characterised by limited pension prospects (Price; 2006; Warren; 2006). This is particularly problematic as a result of a decline in social mobility (Taylor-Gooby; 2008). Furthermore; it has been argued that current pension policy; particularly with the regressive distributional effects of tax relief on occupational pensions; in combination with the limited basic State Pension; is likely to result in greater inequality among future retirees (Strauss; 2008). Given that pensions are based on provision throughout the life course it is important to understand attitudes; knowledge; expectations and savings habits of people from an early age to explore under-saving. This is particularly pertinent given recent governments emphasis on individual responsibility for financial provision in retirement (Foster; forthcoming). However; there is little research which focuses specifically on young people's attitudes towards pension saving (Pettigrew et al; 2007). This project will build on a small scale pilot study funded by the University of Sheffield which used 9 interviews with young women (18-30) in different socio-economic groups about issues surrounding pensions saving. Gender and previous socio-economic status have been shown to have an impact on pension provision in retirement (Foster; 2008; Price; 2008; Walker and Foster; 2006a). For instance; in 2006/7 the average gross income of a single male pensioner was £229 a week compared with only £208 (DWP; 2008). These will be central considerations of the research). The initial findings indicated a greater awareness and participation in pensions among higher socio-economic groups but also highlighted a general lack of knowledge.
  Other surveys used: GHS.

• PSA Analysis – Mr Ed Price. August 2010

  The data will be used to analyse drivers of PSA 17 (Later Life); particularly covering older people's perceptions and fear of crime. Use of the 2008/09 dataset will update existing analysis that was carried out by my predecessor in DWP.

• Service use amongst those for whom English is not their first language – Mr Martin Hyde (Sheffield Hallam University – Psychology; sociology and politics). July 2010

  The data will be used to do some preliminary analyses on the number of potential service users have difficulty speaking English. This work is part of a wider body of work funded by the DWP and being carried out by colleagues at SHU.
  Other surveys used: HSE LIW SHES WHS.

• Age Related Hearing Loss – Dr SALLY DAWSON (UCL – UCL Ear Institute). June 2010

  I will be studying age related hearing loss (ARHL) and will be applying for access to genetic data from ELSA. I would like to access the relevant hearing and co-variate data to study genetic risk factors for ARHL. Funding for this project is from Deafness Reseach UK.

• Inequalities of opportunities in health among young people – Dr sandy tubeuf (University of Leeds – institute of health sciences). May 2010

  Our main objective is to increase understanding of the determinants of health status and health-related lifestyles and behaviour of young persons. In particular; we aim to estimate the impact of: - parents' socioeconomic and health characteristics - parental attitudes to children's schooling and parental involvement in education - family relationships and living conditions - contextual area characteristics such as deprivation indices; and school characteristics
  Other surveys used: LSYPE NCDS.

• Wealth Inequality and Social Policy in Britain – Professor Stephen McKay (University of Birmingham – Social Policy). May 2010

  There has been relatively little thinking; debate or investigation about 'wealth' within the social policy community; which has instead focused on poverty. However; there is a strong case for greater thinking and investigation of wealth; and its implications for wider inequality and social policy development. The report of the National Equality Panel has drawn attention to disparities in wealth ownership; and other research (e.g. Dorling; Wilkinson) indicates the potential effects of inequality on a range of social outcomes. I propose to use this data to consider different approaches to conceptualising and measuring wealth; and to compare/contrast its distribution with that of other measures of material well-being (such as income). The effects of different kinds of wealth (pensions; physical; housing) will also be considered.
  Other surveys used: FRS LFS BSA.

• Adiposity and cardiovascular risk – Dr Dexter Canoy (University of Manchester – School of Community-based Medicine). May 2010

  We will examine how adiposity relates to various risk for cardiovascular disease between men and women; and how these associations vary accoryding to socioeconomic circumstances and over time. This work is part of the ESRC-funded Obesity e-Lab project
  Other surveys used: NCDS BCS70 MCS.

• cross-national comparison study – Dr Longjian Liu. May 2010

  To conduct a cross national comparison study of risk factors in relaiton to healthy living; disease; disability; and surival status by race and social groups. Demographic; education; behavior factors will be exmained. - LL

• Thesis in economics of aging – Mr Marc de Graaf. May 2010

  I want to use the ELSA dataset for my thesis about the decumulation of housing wealth among the elderly. I'm already using partner datasets (SHARE and HRS) and now I would like to use this dataset in order to be able to make a better comparison between the US and UK. I'm trying to improve some lifecycle models as well by extending the precautionary savings motive.

• Social change; Work-Family Life Courses and Women's Health in Mid-Life – Dr Anne McMunn (UCL – Epidemiology & Public Health). May 2010

  This study will address current gaps in our understanding of social change and women's health by investigating relationships between work-family histories and women's health in mid-life across cohorts and socioeconomic positions.
  Other surveys used: NCDS.

• stroke epidemiology – Dr alex dregan (King's College London – Primary Care and Public Health Sciences). May 2010

  To validate the prevalence of stroke in the general population; comparing GPRD and large survey data with respect to stroke treatment and secondary care. To explore trends in stroke incidence and prevalence among older people.
  Other surveys used: HSE NCDS BCS70.

• Study: Comparison of health status of older people. – Miss Bo Young Jeon. April 2010

  Purpose: To compare the self-rated health status of older people world wide. 1. I want to compare the self-rated health status of UK; Korea; USA; European nations. 2. I want to compare factors associated to the self-rated health status of UK; Korea; USA; European nations. 3. I wil grouping those nations by Esping-Anderson's Regimes and compare the health status and factors that affected the health status.

• Secondary analysis of ELSA – Jennifer Liddle (Keele University – Centre for Social Gerontology). April 2010

  Data from successive waves of ELSA will be used as a source of comparison with data collected through the Longitudinal study of Ageing in a Retirement Community (LARC); funded 2006-2010 by Anchor Trust.

• PARC HRS analysis – John McCabe. March 2010

  I am a research analyst with the population aging research center PARC at the U of Pennsylvania. I work with American HRS data and European SHARE data. Periodically like to compare my results with ELSA data.

• Scalability of self-report measures – Dr Matthew Hankins (University of Sussex – Division of Primary Care & Public Health). March 2010

  This project will assess the scalability of self-report measures (i.e. questionnaire measures) used in the survey. Methods used will attempt to model scalability and reliability of measures under more realistic assumptions than are usually applied.
  Other surveys used: Omnibus HSE.

• Care credits in the British pension system – Dr Athina Vlachantoni (University of Southampton – Centre for Research on Ageing). February 2010

  The project involves secondary analysis of variables relating to care provision and employment histories in order to analyse the position of carers in the British pension system. The project is likely to use data from all waves available in the BHPS.
  Other surveys used: BHPS.

• Neighbourhood effects and dementia – Dr Nick Shryane (University of Manchester – ISC). February 2010

  Cross-sectional studies (e.g. Lang; Llewellyn; Langa et al.; 2008) indicate that neighbourhood deprivation is a significant predictor of dementia prevalence; independent of individual-level measures of health and socio-economic status. We intend to look at the possibility of using ELSA for longitudinal; possibly mediational; exploration of possible causal mechanisms.

• ELSA Research – Dr Panayotes Demakakos (UCL – Epidemiology & Public Helath). February 2010

  I am a member of the UCL/ELSA team. My research focuses on the social determinants of health and health inequalities. I will use the latest version of the data for the needs of the ELSA wave 4 report (wellbeing chapter) and my research.

• English longitudinal study of ageing – Miss Emma Noble (Newcastle University – Institute Of Health and Society). February 2010

  I am planning to prepare an application for a NIHR fellowship to look at employment; deprivation and the ageing population. I would like to gain access to view the ELSA data files from the waves already undertaken.If possible; I would like to see what work has already been undertaken on the data files.

• ELSA social care – Dr Elizabeth Breeze (UCL – c/o Department of Epidemiology and Public Health). February 2010

  To analyse sources of help and aids for physical limitations & also provision of care. To assess how these vary by demographic and socioeconomic factors. Mainly usage of Wave 4 data.

• Teaching – Dr Melvin Wingfield (De Montfort University – Department of Public Policy). January 2010

  The data set will be used with level two undergraduates. It will be used in conjunction with SPSS to support statistical analysis. The subject matter realtes to the wider aims of the degree programme; but initially it is aimed at teaching an understanding of statistics.

• Cross-national and cross-study comparisons of health outcomes – Dr Paul Kowal. December 2009

  We will continue our cross national and cross-study comparisons of ELSA to WHO's SAGE data; US HRS; ALSWH; SHARE and others - particularly the health and health related outcomes over time.

• Unemployment and health – Dr Mauricio Avendano. December 2009

  The aim of this study is to examine the long term health effects of variations in unemployment insurance benefits across time and between places. By using variations in lifecourse earnings; wealth; and employment status induced by these policy differences; we can also shed light on the health effects of individual economic conditions. The English Longitudinal study of ageing (ELSA) and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe will be used to examine these questions. There are large variations across Europe in UI benefit duration and provisions; and we will use this variability in policies. SHARELIFE and ELSA allow assessing the full effect of welfare state interventions through the linkage of individual micro data over the respondents' entire life with institutional macro data on the welfare state.

• social determinants of health – Dr yumiko kamiya. December 2009

  Aims of the use of the data 1) Examine differences in health status and health care utilization between immigrants and non-immigrants in England and other European countries (using SHARE data. 2) examine social determinants of health care utilization and health status in immigrants and non-immigrants.

• Estimating the number of deaf blind people in the UK – Dr Janet Robertson (Lancaster University – Division of Health Research). November 2009

  A review of existing estimates of the number of deafblind people in the UK by the Investigator for the Sponsor (SENSE). 1. Identify existing national data sources that allow estimates of the prevalence of co-occurring vision and hearing impairments among children and adults in the UK. These will include: (1) administrative data sets (e.g., the termly DCSF School Census); (2) major national surveys (e.g., the Health Survey for England). 2. For each data set we will: a. Determine the prevalence of co-occurring vision and hearing impairments by gender and age (in 10 year age bands) b. Describe the strengths and limitations of the data 3. Produce an electronic copy of a final report (in Word and pdf format) by 31/12/09 which a. Summarises the work undertaken b. Catalogues the datasets used c. Provides ‘best estimate’ prevalence rates for co-occurring vision and hearing impairments by gender and age (in 10 year age bands) d. Combines these prevalence estimates with national population predictions to estimate the total number of deafblind people in the UK (and their distribution by age and gender) in 2010 and 2020. Currently no other version available for GHS2007 Report to SENSE; academic paper on numbers of deafblind in UK We will be using variables which are generally available in open access datasets but in this instance are not available except in special licence edition. We will be using only age, gender, and presence of longstanding illness/disability in relation to ear and eye conditions.
  Other surveys used: FRS HSE GHS NTS SHES BHPS APS HBAI WHS LFS NICHS LIW MCS.

• Review of statistics on volunteering in the UK – Mr Andrew McCulloch (University of Southampton – School of Social Sciences). November 2009

  As part of a review of sources of information on volunteering in the UK government and related surveys are being examined for relevant information on formal and informal volunteering by individuals. Datasets known to include such information the 2000 Time Use Survey, BHPS, GHS, Omnibus Surveys, the National Surveys of Voluntary Activity, the Citizenship Surveys, Leisure Cultutre and Sport surveys etc. Prelimiary work will involve a review of the questions asked in different surveys, survey design and an examination of response rates and respondent characteristics. Further analyses are planned examining longitudinal typologies of volunteering and life events influencing exits and entrances from volunteering.

• Do survival expectations influence retirement behaviour? – Dr Owen O'Donnell. October 2009

  Theory predicts a number of mechanisms through which survival expectations influence retirement decisions. We will use data from the first three waves of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to test whether the timing of retirement is responsive to subjective survival expectations. This research is funded by the Network for Studies on Pensions, Aging and Retirement (NETSPAR).

• socioeconomic mobility and health inequalities – Dr Elizabeth Breeze (University College London – c/o Department of Epidemiology and Public Health). October 2009

  1) Describing socioeconomic mobility in later ages 2) Modelling socioeconomic health inequalities - this is an open-ended usage to pursue main interests 3) Describing changes in health over time None of these specific to a grant.

• ELSA undergraduate projects – Dr Gerard Molloy (University of Stirling – Psychology). October 2009

  The ELSA dataset will be used for a number of undergraduate projects looking at the relationship between social relationships and health. In particular the relationship between aspects of social support, psychological distress and health behaviour will be examined.

• Scottish Alcohol Model – Dr Petra Meier (University of Sheffield – ScHARR). September 2009

  We are modelling of the effect of alcohol policies on health, crime and employment outcomes in Scotland for the Scottish Government. For this we need detailed Scotland specific alcohol consumption data by age and gender.
  Other surveys used: SHES Omnibus GHS FACS LSYPE BCS.

• elsa, bhps – jeong nps. September 2009

  This is panel survey team in NPS(National Pension Service) in Korea. We want to do research on the reason why England people retire,health, life expectancy. we want data elsa, bhps.
  Other surveys used: BHPS.

• OPTIMISM – Dr Cahit Guven. September 2009

  I am working on the influence of optimism on economic choices and I would like to use ELSA for this purpose. Specifically, I would like to use the question on expectations about tomorrows weather which is available in the expectations part as a measure of optimism which is supposed to be exogenous. Using this measure, I will look at the influence of optimism on economic choices such as working hours, portfolio allocation, consumption, savings etc.

• Associations between chronic illness and psychological factors in older adults 2 – Miss Cheryl Craigs (University of Leeds – Leeds Institute of Health Sciences). September 2009

  The link between psychological factors, including depression, and chronic conditions is widely recognised. This study aims to utilise data from ELSA to assess the overall prevalence of chronic conditions and psychological disorders and the associations between chronic illnesses and psychological factors in the older population. The variables of interest are: self reported chronic illness, CES-D questions; self reported emotional, nervous and psychological problems, age, sex, education level, income, exercise, weight, smoking, number of close family/friends. The methods used will be logistic regression. Currently there is no funding for this project, however it is hoped that the results from this analysis may inform future funding opportunities

• Depression in undiagnosed diabetes – Dr Arie Nouwen (University of Birmingham – School of Psychology). September 2009

  The study would compare the prevalence and incidence of depression in people with undiagnosed and diagnosed type 2 diabetes and people without diabetes. Also, we hope to examine risk factors of depression. We would like to control for age and gender, socio-economic factors, education, ethnicity, co-morbidity, previous depression and psychopathology, blood glucose levels, HBA1c,endogenous insulin, BMI, lipids, and life style factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity level.

• MRC PHSRN FALCon project (Function and Aging across the Life Course) – Dr Andrew Wills (University College London – Department of Epidemiology and Public Health). July 2009

  We will use the ELSA dataset along with data from other longitudinal studies to model trajectories of cardiovascular, physical and cognitive function over the life course. We are exploring methods of joining trajectories from different cohorts in order to understand more about patterns of development, and determinants and health consequences of such patterns.

• Data analysis – Dr Patricia Kearney (Trinity College, Dublin – Medical Gerontology). July 2009

  I am a research fellow working on the Irish Longitudinal Study of Aging. I am employed by Trinity College Dublin and am funded by the NIA via a Beeson Fellowship (K08 award). I am interested in comparing data from ELSA with data from SHARE and TILDA.

• Health status transitions of older people – Professor Michael Murphy (University of London School of Economics – Social Policy). July 2009

  To combine morbidity information with other socio-demographic covariates to produce transition rates in order to build a multi-state model for older people in Britain to assess future health status under alternative assumptions
  Other surveys used: HSE.

• ELSA quality of care analysis – Dr Nicholas Steel (University of East Anglia – MED). July 2009

  Analysis of ELSA data, in particular longitudinal data about health and related variables, and quality of health care in people aged 50 years and older in England living in the community.

• Learning & Work in Later Life – Stephen McNair (University of Surrey – Political, International and Policy Studies). July 2009

  I require access for a study commissioned by the Nuffield Foundation into training and employment of people over 50. We are examinign the reasons why particiaption in training declines with age, and how far it mirrors other age related changes in the labour market.
  Other surveys used: LFS.

• The Benefit of Cataract Surgery – Dr M Weale (National Institute of Economic and Social Research – NIESR). July 2009

  The data are required for a study to explore the pattern of cataract surgery by age and sex of patient.The aim is to produce an output index for cataract surgery which takes account of any treatment of intramarginal patients.
  Other surveys used: HSE.

• Literacy, numeracy and disadvantage among older adults in England – Mr Andrew Jenkins (University of Institute of Education – DOQSS). July 2009

  This project uses data from English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) to analyse literacy and numeracy of older adults and how this is related to disadvantage. Multiple domains of disadvantage are relevant to the project including employment, income and wealth, social exclusion, health and wellbeing. The study uses data from the first three waves of ELSA and also from the retrospective life histories.

• CES-D in ELSA and CHARLS – Dr Zhehui Luo. June 2009

  We will compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the pilot China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and in ELSA. The two surveys used different items and response patterns. In addition, we explore the potential role of the follow-up data in ELSA in predicting prevalence in the next wave of CHARLS.

• Comparative health – Professor Steven Venti. June 2009

  Will use ELSA in study of the relationship between health history and wealth in the US/UK/Europe. The project is funded by a grant from the U.S. National Institute of Aging to the NBER.

• Active Ageing – Mr Giorgio Di Gessa (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine – Centre for Population Studies). June 2009

  A number of international bodies (EU, OECD, WHO) are actively promoting the concept of “active ageing”. It is believed that people can age healthily by keeping fit, active and involved in both work and leisure activities in their own homes and communities. This policy framework is inclusive of all meaningful activities common among older people which contribute to their personal well-being and quality of life as well as to society at large. The overall aim of this research project is to investigate the association between activity and older people’s health. To address this aim, the project consists of three main objectives: 1) identify factors and characteristics (personal, familial, institutional and cultural) associated with older people’s activity and determine whether there are any conflicts between various activities; 2) assess whether more engaged people have better health to start with and 3) assess whether more active people experience lower health declines over time. Thus this research will work towards identifying the activities that mainly contribute to people’s health and the major barriers to them. This could help identify strategies and interventions to increase participation and contribute in the long-term to people’s health. This project will focus on four European countries (Denmark, Italy, France, England selected to represent different welfare regimes) in order to identify individual and policy-related variations in indicators of ‘active ageing’ and associations with health-related outcomes. Both ELSA and SHARE datasets will be used.

• English Longitudinal Study of Ageing: Wave 0 (1998, 1999 and 2001) and Waves 1-3 (2002-2007) – Mrs haiyan miao. June 2009

  The purpose of the research, in response to NIA's program is to "harmonize" cognitive functioning measurement across four international surveys of aging-the HRS in the US, the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA), the European Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement (SHARE), and the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLSoA). We will use Wve 1 of the ELSA conducted in 2002-2003, and will include all participants age 65 or older.

• CASP 19 change over time – Denise Howel (Newcastle University – Institute of Health and Society). May 2009

  Investigation of the changes in CASP19 score over time and the association of baseline scores and changes in these scpres with health and socioeconomic and demographic variables. No grant funding.

• Fertility history, social support and health in later life – Dr Sanna Read (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine – Epidemiology and Population Health). May 2009

  The aim is to investigate the role of fertility history and social support in well-being, health and survival in later life. The special focus will be on the patterns of intergenerational transfers, social networks and household changes. British Household Panel Survey data (all available waves) will be used. The study will be carried out at the Centre for Population Studies, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine within the projects Modelling 'Needs and Resources of Older People to 2030' and 'Major Ageing and Gender Issues in Europe'.
  Other surveys used: BHPS.

• analysis of ELSA data waves 1-3 – Dr Nicholas Steel (University of East Anglia – School of Medicine Health Policy and Practice). May 2009

  Cross sectional and longitudinal analyses of ELSA data, in particular health data, and data on quality of care and on hip and knee replacements. Funding to be applied for after initial analyses.

• research for PhD – Mr Kenneth Howse (University of Oxford – OXFORD INSTITUTE OF AGEING). March 2009

  Foreign academic visitor (final year of PhD) wants to analyse UK data on health of older population comparable to his own dataset on elderly Spanish population to look at cognitve impairment and its correlates.
  Other surveys used: HSE.

• Work and family histories and pension outcomes – Mr Malcolm Nicholls (King's College London – Institute of Gerontology). March 2009

  To explore the influence of work, marital and fertility histories on the incomes of older people, using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. The work is funded in part by the ESRC under its UPTAP initiative.

• Analysis for part of Ph.D – Mr Kenneth Howse (University of Oxford – OXFORD INSTITUTE OF AGEING). March 2009

  I am supporting Spanish PhD student who wants to compare his dataset on funtional disability/cognitive impairment with UK data. Output will be chapter in PhD thesis and publication in Spanish journal.

• CASP-19 analysis – Dr Jean Adams (Newcastle University – Institute of Health and Society). March 2009

  Analysis of time-trends in CASP-12 and CASP-19 data and association with various health and lifestyle predictors. To answer the questions: what is normal change over time? What predicts change over time? No specific funding.

• Non-response, Proxy Respondents, and Cognition in HRS and ELSA – Jessica Faul. February 2009

  As with health, the cognition measures in HRS and ELSA were designed for close comparability. However, survey practice differs between the studies in important ways. The HRS makes extensive use of proxy reporters for respondents who are unwilling or unable to complete their own interview. ELSA and HRS have similar rates of response for persons doing their own interview, but ELSA has very few proxy respondents and thus lower overall response rates than HRS. Measures of the fraction of the population with severe cognitive impairment are likely to be sensitive to rates of response and rates of proxy response, if those are related to cognitive ability. An important step will be a calibration that allows proxy responses describing cognitive ability to be compared directly with the cognitive tests administered to self-respondents. The HRS substudy of dementia -- the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS) -- makes this possible. The 856 ADAMS respondents received the HRS cognitive measures, an extensive battery of other tests, and an informed reporter completed the proxy observations. This paper will develop a conversion/imputation algorithm to utilize the Jorm IQcode measure used in HRS for respondents interviewed by proxy to generate a score equivalent to the direct cognition measures used on self respondents in HRS and ELSA. Then it will propose re-weighting schemes to correct for selective attrition due to cognitive impairment in both studies, evaluating whether the use of proxy reporters in the HRS reduces that bias relative to ELSA.

• International Study on post retirement income – Miss Roberta Adami (University of Westminster – Finance and Business Law). January 2009

  The data will be used as part of an international research project on income post-retirement in Europe.
  Other surveys used: FRS BHPS.

• A new approach to measuring income-related inequalities in health – Dr Casey Quinn (University of Nottingham – Primary Care). December 2008

  I intend to us the BHPS data to look at Health and Income longitudinally, to compare different measures of income-related inequalities in health. It will be primarily a methodological paper that also seeks to contribute to the health-inequality literature in the UK and internationally. I intend to publish through at least one - but possibly two - articles in international health economics or statistics journals.
  Other surveys used: BHPS Omnibus HSE.

• Research – Miss Emily Zhao (University of Cambridge – PHPC). December 2008

  Research required. Focus on dementia, cognitive impairement. Public health area. Physical daily activities. Prevalence and incidence of dementia for the very old people in uk. MMSE, and depression invloved. Prevalence, incidence and risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia patterns of cognitive change neuropsychology depression and depressive symptoms socio-demographics and social contacts use of health and social services falls and functional ability genetics brain donor programme Alzheimer and vascular pathology molecular substrates of cognitive decline.

• NGOs in Britain Project – Dr Jean-Francois Mouhot (University of Birmingham – History). December 2008

  The data will be used within the context of our project NGOs in Britain 1945-1997 based at the University of Birmingham http://www.ngo.bham.ac.uk/
  Other surveys used: BHPS BSA FACS.

• Teaching research methods – Ms Andrea Lyons-Lewis (Nottingham Trent University – SOCIAL SCIENCES). December 2008

  This dataset will be used with 2nd year undergraduate students on two programmes, Health & Environment, and Sociology. It will be used to explore the possibilites offered by secondary data and also to use as an example dataset for learning quantitative analysis skills.
  Other surveys used: BCS .

• A study of multiple social exclusion over time and its associations with depression and loneliness – Dr Panayotes Demakakos (University College London – epidemiology & public heath). November 2008

  This usage of the ELSA data is related to a commissioned study of multiple social exclusion and its associations with depression, loneliness and social relationships. It is a follow-up of an earlier work of mine on multiple social exclusion.

• Understanding the importance of work histories in determining poverty in old age – Ms Rachel Stuchbury (King's College London – Gerontology). October 2008

  Much is known about current pensioner incomes and the characteristics of those on low incomes, but less about the life experiences which result in these incomes. The project will use data from tax and NI records, linked to ELSA, to explore how far differences in people's employment experiences can explain variations in the incomes received in retirement. It will control for a range of other factors (e.g. gender, education, social class). Funded by ESRC UPTAP programme.

• Health Surveys – Iain Lang (University of Exeter – Pensinsula Medical School). October 2008

  My analyses treat Health Survey for England data as an epidemiological and public health resource and are focused on examining associations between health behaviours, and associated factors, and health outcomes. I use the data both cross-sectionally and to look at trends.
  Other surveys used: HSE WHS.

• NDA Healthy ageing across the life course (HALCyon) project – Dr Rachel Cooper (University College London – Epidemiology and Public Health). October 2008

  This collaborative research programme funded by the New Dynamics of Ageing will use data from ELSA and 8 other British cohorts. It brings together an interdisciplinary group of scientists who will perform inter-cohort analyses to investigate three aspects of healthy ageing: physical and cognitive capability; psychological and social wellbeing; and the underlying biology of ageing, including cortisol, telomere length and genetic factors.
  Other surveys used: NCDS.

• Adult Learning and Health Outcomes in Later Life – Mr Andrew Jenkins (University of Institute of Education – DOQSS). September 2008

  The project explores whether there are links between engagement in learning and subsequent health outcomes for older adults. Learning will be broadly defined to include both formal and non-formal episodes of learning. Outcomes will cover mental health and well-being measures.

• The association between retirement and alcohol consumption in men in England – Dr Jo Longman (University of Nottingham – School of Community Health Sciences). September 2008

  We are using the ELSA data to explore differences in alcohol consumption between retired and employed men, and alcohol consumption before and after retirement.

• Comparison of ELSA, SHARE, and HRS – Dr Hendrik Juerges. September 2008

  The ELSA data will be used in conjunction with SHARE and HRS to conduct cross-nationally comparative research on individual and societal ageing.

• ELSA- social relationships and cogntion – Dr Gerard Molloy (University College London – Epidemiology & Public Health). September 2008

  This analysis will examine the relationship between social networks, social activity, loneliness and cognitive decline.

• Resources for Funding Retirement – Mr Russell Goss. July 2008

  The ABI is interested in obtaining data from the British Household Panel Survey and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing for the purposes of research that is likely to be published later in the year. We are looking at, amongst other things, what resources different age / income cohorts have available to them to fund their retirement. When finished, the document will be made available to the public electronically and forms part of the ABI's contribution to public debate / policy formation, addressing the retirement needs of UK residents.
  Other surveys used: BHPS.

• Pilot study for biomarkers of Korean Longitudinal study of Ageing – Dr Soong-Nang Jang. July 2008

  Seoul National University is performing the pilot study of biomarkers of KLOSA (Korean Longitudinal study of Ageing) from July 2008 to December 2008 with Korean government funds. We would like to see ELSA datasets in order to make KLOSA data comparable with international longitudinal study of aging.

• Work for the Pocklington Charitable Trust – Dr Anna Zimdars (University of Manchester – Institute for Social Change). July 2008

  The use of ELSA data will focus on understanding the association between visual impairment, social exclusion and housing circumstances among older people, and the factors that mediate and moderate this relationship. The work will use multivariate approaches to analysis to more accurately summarise the relationship between visual impairment, social participation, social networks and housing circumstances.

• ELSA - Cognition and Family Background – Professor David Bell (University of Stirling – Economics). July 2008

  This study will examine measures of cognition in ELSA and relate these to both events in individuals' life history and to their present circumstances. The intention is to use this analysis to better understand the characteristics and needs of those suffering cognitive impairment.

• Health and ageing – Professor Piet Bracke. July 2008

  The aim is to explore the possibilities of comparing the data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) with those from SHARE

• Dynamic structural housing estimation – Dr Lars Nesheim (University College London – Economics). June 2008

  We are estimating a model of household demand for housing and other goods in a dynamic model.
  Other surveys used: FES EFS.

• Comparative analyses ELSA - SHARE - HRS – Mr Morten Wahrendorf. June 2008

  Cross-cultural comparison of well-being and health as determined by different aspects of a psychosocial environment

• Personal Accounts – Miss Bhaveshree Hirani (The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – Personal Accounts Delivery Authority). June 2008

  The dataset will be used to assist in the modelling of participation rates into personal accounts. The dataset will help produce estimates of scheme volumes, support other strands of work and adhoc analysis to support briefing etc. The dataset will also help identify the characteristics of individuals who are/aren't currently participating into a pension scheme; including those who are contributing into the pension scheme; detailed job level information to identify multiple jobs, and information on how often individuals move between jobs. This information will help improve volumes estimates and better enable us to access the level of participation into personal accounts
  Other surveys used: Omnibus GHS FRS LFS BHPS.

• Long term effects of mental health problems on quality of life in older people – Dr Adam Smith (University of Leeds – Centre for Health & Social Care). June 2008

  Funding will be sought from the ESRC to explore the long term effects of mental health problems in old age with a particular focus on quality of life and the economic consequences.
  Other surveys used: BHPS.

• Research – Dr Ercilia Dini (Office for National Statistics – ONS Centre for Demography). May 2008

  I need access to ELSA data Waves 0-1 for research purposes. The objective of the research is to study the demographic and social characteristics of the population during the transition period pre-retirement and state pension age.

• Quality of Life – Dr Laura Romeu Gordo. April 2008

  I am working at the German Centre of Gerontology (DZA) in Berlin Germany. With my colleagues, we want to compare quality of life across Europe and its distribution in old ages. Therefore, we want to analyse the CASP 19 in the UK with the BHPS and compare it with quality of life in other countries (information source: SHARE).
  Other surveys used: BHPS.

• The expenditure and inflation experience of elderly households – Mr Andrew Leicester (Institute for Fiscal Studies – Consumption Sector). April 2008

  This project examines trends in expenditures for elderly and retired households over more than 30 years. The aim is to look closely at the changes in expenditure patterns within the distribution of elderly households rather than simply comparing elderly to other households as has often been done before. We will also look at how inflation rates differ within the elderly population by re-weighting national RPI price indices based on household level spending patterns; this will allow us to examine whether, say, poor elderly people who rely on the state pension for their income have seen their effective real incomes fall or rise. We will also use waves 2 and 3 of ELSA to examine changes in expenditures between 2004 and 2006, a time when fuel prices rose substantially and much concern was expressed about fuel poverty amongst vulnerable households.
  Other surveys used: FES EFS.

• Capabilities extended – Paul Anand (The Open University – Economics). April 2008

  To study the capabilities of the elderly. This is a multi university project and part of a bigger project on the measurement of human welfare.

• ELSA new release – Mr Xiaohui Zhuo. March 2008

  I will use the ELSA data for the purpose of my research paper on international comparison on elderly's subjective probability of survival. I will do the international comparison across UK, EU countries and United States

• Preliminary investigation – Mr John McCabe. March 2008

  Here at the University of Pennsylvania's Population Aging Research Center, we administer the Mexican Health and Aging study and are affiliated with the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Much of our work involves assisting doctoral students who are interested in doing original research in Health and Aging. We have recently had some interest from students wanting to work with ELSA. For now, I would only like to acquaint myself with the data so that I can compare it with the data we already have, and provide better assistance to local students and researchers who may be interested in using ELSA in the future.

• JSNA Older People – Miss Helen Tapson (South West Public Health Observatory – Health Promotion). March 2008

  I need the data to get rates of morbidity and mortality in older people that I can apply to the population of B&NES.

• Living arrangements, health and well-being: a European perspective – Ms Harriet Young (University of LSHTM – CPS). March 2008

  In this project we investigated associations between the living arrangements of older people and their health and well being across Europe and in more detail in England and Wales, using ELSA, the ESS and The ONS LS. This research is funded by the ESRC.

• International Centre for Lifecourse studies in society and health – Dr Noriko Cable (University College London – Epidemiology and Public Health). February 2008

  The International Centre for lifecourse studies in society and health is to conduct original research in four general areas of current scientific and policy interest: (1)Family relationships and child well-being. (2)Education, health and social participation. (3) Health and labour force participation. (4) Ageing and retirement. Those data to be used are: Millennium Cohort Study, 1970 Birth Cohort Study, National Child Development Study, British Household Panel Study, Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study, English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and UK Longitudinal Household Study.
  Other surveys used: HSE NCDS BCS70 MCS BHPS LFS UKHLS.

• Research – Dr Cesar de Oliveira (University of University College London – Epidemiology & Public Health). February 2008

  I am a research associate at UCL who works at the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and I am going to be involved in the data analysis for this study.

• Academic research – Professor Thomas Scharf (University of Keele – Centre for Social Gerontology). February 2008

  Usage relates to the writing up of research arising from an ESRC study of ageing in deprived urban communities (deposited with ESDS under SN 4695 -Survey of Quality of Life in Older Age, 2000-2001). GHS data provide a valuable point of comparison

• EHRC08_EquStats – Dr Anna Zimdars (University of Manchester – Institute for Social Change). February 2008

  To review equality statistics as part of its remit to map the equalities landscape, identify changes in society and monitor progress. The Labour Force survey data might also be used for looking at access to the legal profession.

• Social environment and obesity in older adults – Dr Anne Kouvonen (University of Nottingham – Institute of Work, Health and Organisations). February 2008

  The aim this study is to examine the relationship of social participation and social support with obesity and obesity-related health behaviours (diet and physical activity) in older adults using ELSA datasets. Other datasets: Whitehall II (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/whitehallII/)

• Housing and social environment – Dr Jim Ogg (University of Keele – Life Course Studies). January 2008

  Use of ELSA is to understand the housing transitions and household composition changes over time and to relate these to wider social networks outside the household - I will explore the effect of the passage to retirement, widowhood and onset of disability on the home/housing environment

• Intergenerational contributions to childcare – Dr Alison Smith (University of Edinburgh – Social Policy). January 2008

  Secondary data analysis to explore the prevalence of grandparental childcare.
  Other surveys used: MCS GUS.

• Social Determinants and Social Consequences of Depression in Elders from Cross-National Perspective – Barbara Schaan. January 2008

  - Dissertation project - analyzing different datasets (ELSA, SHARE, GSOEP, HRS) - at least three different topics planned with ELSA data: a) Spousal Support, social support and depression in old-age b) Neighbourhood disadvantage and depression in old-age c) Aging, Depression and Social Activities

• ELSA Wave 3 report – Miss Gemma Tetlow (Institute for Fiscal Studies – Public Spending and Pensions). January 2008

  To look at evidence related to patterns of extending working lives and financial resources through retirement.

• Ageing, retirement and employment – Dr fiona carmichael (University of Birmingham – business). December 2007

  The research is about the transitions of older people from employment into retirement and activities in retirement
  Other surveys used: LFS EFS BHPS.

• Atypical employment – Dr René Böheim. November 2007

  This project explores the dynamics of flexible work arrangements and investigates whether or not flexible work may be a tool to integrate individuals into the labour market. Our main research questions are the following: Does flexible work enhance the chances of regular work in the medium-term? Do workers in flexible contracts suffer wage penalties after switching to regular employment? We look at labour market transitions and medium-term wage penalties of part-time and marginal workers as well temporary and agency workers, comparing four different European countries (Austria, Germany, Italy and the UK). In contrast to most research output in this area, we go beyond a short-term, cross-sectional analysis, providing a comparative and dynamic view of the consequences of flexible work for employees. Funding: Austrian National Bank, Anniversary Fund
  Other surveys used: LFS BHPS.

• Research – Mr Alex Dregan (University of Surrey – sociology). November 2007

  I aim to investigate the epidemiology of sleep disorders across time within the NCDS and BCS70 datasets.
  Other surveys used: FES NCDS HSE Omnibus BSA SHES.

• Job transitions and health – Dr Lindsey Leininger. November 2007

  A co-author and I are interested in studying the association between job transitions and health outcomes among older people. We are located at the University of Chicago in the United States.

• Markers of Turning Points in Ageing – Professor Ian Nabney (Aston University – Computer Science). November 2007

  Aston are putting together a proposal to the New Dynamics of Ageing call (an inter-disciplinary call organised by AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, and MRC). We are intending to use the ELSA dataset in our detailed statistical analysis (using statistical pattern recognition, leading edge non-linear visualisation algorithms, and Bayesian belief networks). This dataset will be augmented by data we collect in the project with a focus on specific ethnic groups and a range of biomarkers.

• Smoking behaviour and smoke intake – Professor Martin Jarvis (University of University College London – Epidemiology and Public health). October 2007

  My research aims to examine the association between smoking behaviour and smoke intake as indexed by cotinine in relation to factors such as socio-economic status, age, gender and product smoked.
  Other surveys used: HSE Omnibus GHS NCDS.

• ELSA - HRS comparison – Dr Philippa Clarke. October 2007

  Analyses will examine psychological well-being in ELSA, and compare to similar measures collected in the 2006 HRS. Further comparisons will be made between the two surveys with respect to cross-national differences in the effect of health on well-being.

• Secondary data analysis – Dr NICOLA DEMPSEY (Oxford Brookes University – Architecture). October 2007

  A scoping study commissioned by CABE Space on quality of life and quality of public space. It is hoped that data from the Health Survey of England on a number of indicators would be statistically analysed to ascertain relationships using correlation and regression analyses if possible. Other demographic/ social/ economic variables would be needed for controls.
  Other surveys used: HSE.

• ONS publication 'Pension Trends' – Ms Sarah Levy (Office for National Statistics – SEMARD). October 2007

  The data is for use in updating tables and graphs in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publication "Pension Trends", particularly for chapters 3 (The labour market and retirement) and 10 (Non-pension wealth). The publication is available at www.statistics.gov.uk

• National study on quality of life and elderly – Mrs Maria Herrera. October 2007

  I am professor from the Catholic University of Chile. We are doing a national survey about quality of life and elderly. We have some comparable questions of the ELSA survey, so we want to process these data to write a comparable paper.

• Social causes of mortality and morbidity – Dr Yumiko Kamiya (Trinity College, Dublin – Medical gerontology). October 2007

  Social epidemiology is a relatively new field of study, but has already produced many interesting findings, both from large prospective surveys and clinical/experimental studies (e.g. Alameda County, Whitehall, Eastern Finland, Pittsburgh common cold, Epel and Blackburn care-giver stress studies). While major longitudinal studies of the older population have been initiated in a number of countries, they have not adopted a uniform approach to defining and measuring the 'social' variables considered central in social epidemiology. This reflects the lack of clarity regarding the content of the umbrella term 'social engagement'. Shortcomings in the measurement of morbidity (especially where only self-assessment is used) have also been recognised. The possibility of collecting more data on biomarkers in longitudinal studies opens up new avenues for investigating in more detail and depth the causal pathways between social engagement and mortality/morbidity. Our paper (1) reviews and compares the central social engagement variables (networks, support, participation) that are currently being used in three major longitudinal studies of ageing (HRS, ELSA, SHARE), and (2) discusses the enormous potential for advancing social epidemiology through the incorporation of both extensive indicators of social engagement and biomarkers/physiological measures (blood pressure, fibrinogen, CRP, homocystine) into ELSA

• Household asset levels near retirement age – Mr L. Daniel Muldoon. September 2007

  The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College is undertaking a project which examines asset levels in households which are nearing retirement age. We believe that the data in the British Household Panel Survey would be a valuable resource to gather information on these levels in Britain
  Other surveys used: BHPS.

• Effect of severity and onset of disability on labour market outcomes – Dr Umut Oguzoglu. September 2007

  The effect of severity and onset of disability on labour market outcomes will be investigated. The persistence of labour market states will be compared across disabled and non-disabled working age population. This research is funded by Australian Reseach Council.
  Other surveys used: BHPS.

• Paper – Dr Etelka Daroczi (University of Essex – ECASS). September 2007

  The paper explores the role of social environment for individual political participation. It is part of my PhD dissertation that investigates comparatively the effect of social networks on individual political behavior in developing and consolidated democracies. My visit at the European Centre for Analysis in the Social Sciences (ECASS) at the Institute for Social and Economic Research is supported by the Access to Research Infrastructure action under the EU Improving Potential Programme.

• Modelling Needs and Resources of Older People to 2030 – Professor Michael Murphy (University of London School of Economics – Social Policy). September 2007

  This is an ESRC-funded project. Key issues to be investigated include how trends in mortality and morbidity will evolve, and if the extra years of life will be lived in good health; the consequences of changes in family circumstances on the availability of informal sources of care and for older people's social participation; and older people's ability to meet care costs. Statistical analyses will be undertaken on trends in the relationships between the determinants of needs and resources: mortality; disease and disability; household/family formation and kinship; family support and the availability and need for informal and formal care services; and how they differ between socio-economic and income groups. The project will use simulation models to project up to 2030 the numbers, family circumstances, income, pensions, savings, disability and care needs (formal and informal), the key determinants of the resources and needs of older people. The project will use a number of large-scale surveys including GHS, ELSA and the ONS 1% LS.
  Other surveys used: GHS BHPS.

• Poverty amongst the elderly – Professor Agar Brugiavini. September 2007

  Using the information contained in ELSA to look at resources available to the elderly: social security and pension income

• Teaching Actuarial Finance – Dr David McCarthy (University of Imperial College – Tanaka). August 2007

  Use in Quanatitative Case Studies for Pensions Teaching. Wish students to get some experience in manipulating data and in understanding the role played by pensions in household portfolios, as well as correlations between different variables.

• Analysis of disability-free life expectancy – Dr Domenica Rasulo (Office for National Statistics – SHARD). August 2007

  Data will be analysed to investigate the disability-free life expectancy in England. The research has been funded by ESRC - UPTAP fellowship.
  Other surveys used: HSE GHS.

• Subjective well-being and transitions out of work – Dr Amilcar Moreira. July 2007

  Assuming that individuals' satisfaction with work depends on the working conditions and the level of job security they enjoy in employment, this paper will test the hypothesis that individuals with better working conditions and higher levels of employment security will have a higher probability of registering a decrease in personal utility (measured as subjective well-being) in the transition out of employment (be it unemployment or retirement). In order to test this hypothesis, it was decided to analyse the transitions from work to unemployment/retirement in two countries where working conditions are regulated in a very different way: Germany (which presents a higher level of employment protection and greater focus on good working conditions) the UK (with a more deregulated labour market, and a lesser focus on promoting good working conditions).
  Other surveys used: BHPS.

• Understanding the Transformation of the Prospects of Place – Dr Eldin Fahmy (University of Bristol – School for Policy Studies). June 2007

  This project, funded by Joseph Rowntree Foundation, seeks to develop a longitudinally consistent approach to understanding the changing geography of poverty and affluence in Britain in the period 1968-2004. The research involves extensive quantitative analysis of large-scale surveys of poverty and wealth in Britain in order to derive synthetic models that can then be applied to census small area statistics for the purposes of geospatial analysis. These sources include a series of nationally representative poverty surveys conducted in 1968-9, 1981, 1990, and 1999, and Family Expenditure Survey data for the period 1968-2001.
  Other surveys used: FES EFS LFS GHS FRS TimeUse APS BHPS BCS70 FACS .

• Comparison with WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health – Dr Paul Kowal. June 2007

  We will compare ELSA data and methods to data we are collecting in 20 countries as part of the Multi-Country Studies unit at WHO.

• Variations in social care provision – Dr Jose-Luis Fernandez (University of London School of Economics – PSSRU, LSE). May 2007

  The data will be used to relate levels of social care provision to levels of need. The research will use quantitative multivariate regression analysis at the local level, using data on social care provision, levels of need, local market conditions, and local preferences.
  Other surveys used: Vital Statistics FRS GHS.

• Preparation for 2008 sweep of the 1958 cohort study – Dr Jane Elliott (University of Institute of Education – Centre for Longitudinal Studies). April 2007

  In preparation for the 2008 sweep of the 1958 cohort study we are reviewing which questions should be included and in particular are keen to make questions as comparable as possible with other surveys. Data from ELSA will be valuable in allowing us to look at variability in measures of cognitive and physical functioning for cohorts at different ages and to help us decide which measures should be included for cohort members aged 50.
  Other surveys used: BCS.

• Debt and finance among older people – Professor Stephen McKay (University of Birmingham – Institute of Applied Social Studies). April 2007

  In most studies, older people have very low levels of debt, despite often having low levels of income. However, there are signs that this may be changing, as younger cohorts exhibit less opposition to borrowing than their predecessors. We aim to examine the characteristics of older people with debt, and other kinds of financial problems, and how this is evolving over time.
  Other surveys used: BCS BHPS BSA.

• Epidemiological academic research – Neil Rice (University of Exeter – Epidemiology & Public Health). April 2007

  I will be preparing syntax based on work already done by my academic institution on ELSA data released to us, in order to make available derived variables used by us in the creation of our chapter in the ELSA report.

• Information and advice – Miss Kim Shrapnell (The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – DWP). March 2007

  The ELSA data set has the potential to provide information and advice within policy settings. It is intended that the data will be used on an on-going, adhoc basis to provide information and advice to a range of officials.

• teaching – Dr Allan clark (University of East Anglia – medicine). February 2007

  Using for teaching purposes - using weighted analysis for logistic regression analyses in sample surveys.

• Psychosocial factors and health – Panayotes Demakakos (University of University College London – Epidemiology & Public Health). February 2007

  Exploration of the association of social and psychological factors with health outcomes. I have no specific funding for this usage.

• Is retirement responsive to subjective survival expectations? – Professor Eddy van Doorslaer. February 2007

  The purpose is to extend the evidence on the responsiveness of retirement to survival expectations by using the ELSA data to distinguish between individuals covered by the State earnings related pension (SERPS), private DB and private DC. The hypothesis to be tested is that the retirement behaviour of the DC group is most responsive to survival expectations.

• English Longitudinal Study of Ageing – Dr HYUN-GOO SHIN. February 2007

  I am researching about "Ageing of Korea" funding from Korean government (Department of Labour). This project uses the panel survey, "Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing". I want to conduct a comparative study of ageing in Korea and UK.

• Intra-family help flows – Professor Ildefonso Mendez. January 2007

  I am currently analyzing cross-country differences in help flows within the family network. Data for Italy, Spain, France, Germany and other continental European countries is taken from SHARE. For the United States I use the Health and Retirement Study and, thus, I need the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing to provide comparable data on the nature and intensity of intrafamily time and monetary transfers.

• GeNet project 5: WHIPP – Mr Jerome De Henau (Open University, The – Economics). January 2007

  We analyse the determinants and the distribution of intra-household financial inequalities in the UK, with a focus on tax-benefits. We need the data to build an indicator of financial autonomy and analyse the dynamics within the household alongside usual socio-economic controls. The project is part of the Gender Equality Network, funded by the ESRC, and supervised by Holly Sutherland, Fran Bennett and Susan Himmelweit.
  Other surveys used: FRS GHS TimeUse LFS Omnibus BHPS FACS.

• Training work and the older workforce – Mrs Swati Nettleship. January 2007

  An investigation of training and the older workforce, in the context of the DfES skills targets, the emergence of Train to Gain and the broader Government objective to extend working life.
  Other surveys used: LFS.

• Financial Inequality among Older Couples – Dr Debora Price (University of King's College London – Gerontology). January 2007

  This study aims to present a nationally representative statistical picture of financial inequality between and within older couple households, investigating how different sources of income in later life contribute to or ameliorate financial inequality.

• Factor structure of the GHQ-12 – Mr Matthew Hankins (University of King's College London – Psychology (at Guy's)). January 2007

  Many studies have found the GHQ-12 to be a multidimensional measure rather than the unidimensional measure proposed. I believe the apparent 2- or 3- factor solution found in these studies (and confirmed in further studies) are artefacts of the wording of the 12 items of the questionnaire. I have demonstrated this in a dataset of 1300 women attending screening, (paper in preparation) but a general population sample would be a useful confirmation of the hypothesis that the factor structure resulting from PCA is entirely artefactual, and the GHQ-12 is unidimensional. This study is unfunded, but the results so far have been useful for teaching purposes (measurement theory) as well as resolving a confused and extensive literature.
  Other surveys used: HSE BHPS GHS.

• Analyses of use of Internet – Dr Chris Gilleard (SW London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust – Psychology and Psychotherapies). December 2006

  Explore differences within sample in ownership of PC, use of internet and aspects of structural and psychosocial identity of study participants

• Health and labour force participation – Professor Mel Bartley (University of University College London – Epidemiology). December 2006

  This study is part of an ESRC funded project led by Prof james Banks that examines the role of health in exit from the labour force in middle age. The hypothesis is that the same level of physical or mental disability will have different consequences for labour force exit in persons of different socio-economic level.
  Other surveys used: HSE GHS.

• Health, wealth and consumption – Dr Tania Burchardt (University of London School of Economics – CASE). December 2006

  To examine the relationship between health, consumption and savings / wealth in old age, comparing UK and US data
  Other surveys used: BSA BHPS.

• Estimating the health effects of changes in retirement age – Mr Saad Ahmad. December 2006

  We propose to estimate the magnitude of any direct effect of retirement on health. Since retirement is endogenous to heath, it is not possible to estimate this effect by comparing the health of individuals before and after they retire. As an alternative we will use institutional features of pension systems in the United States and the United Kingdom that are exogenous to the individual to isolate exogenous variation in retirement behavior. Data used will include both vital statistics and longitudinal survey data from both countries. Results can be helpful in understanding the possible effects of changing Social Security retirement ages.

• ELSA Data Study - Health and Work – Dr Gwenllian Wynne-Jones (University of Keele – Primary Care Musculoskeletal Research Centre). November 2006

  The UK Government's health and welfare agendas promote increasing employment and support into work (Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)(2003; 2004)). There is increasing evidence to say that work is good for health and wellbeing, for example Waddell and Burton (2006) identified that the overall beneficial effects of work outweigh its risks. Waddell and Burton (2006) also highlight the positive impact employment has on an individuals psychosocial needs in a society where employment is the norm and work is central to individual identity, social roles and social status. However, the impact of health on work and work on health is an under studied area in the UK, and the ELSA data set provides a unique opportunity to explore these issues both cross sectionally and longitudinally. Furthermore, the ELSA dataset allows the impact of factors associated with health and work to be explored.

• Stratification, health and aging – Dr Gindo Tampubolon (University of Manchester – Sociology). November 2006

  Health inequality is one aspect of an aging population that has recently received a lot of attention. This is an acute issue in advanced countries such as US, Japan and the UK. The focus of this work is whether disadvantages accumulated during working in the early stages in the life-course [upbringing, working life] persist into the old age.
  Other surveys used: BHPS HSE.

• Health care research – Dr Tatiana Andreyeva. November 2006

  Obesity research including cross-country comparisons of unhealthy lifestyle behavior and consumer behavior ageing studies (labor force participation and health)

• Research methods – Mr Phil Reilly (Manchester Metropolitan University, The – CDT). November 2006

  I teach research methods and wish to demonstrate the use of original research data as a source for further analysis.

• Physical activity as a mediator of physical function in older individuals without longstanding illness: bio-psychosocial and physiological pathways impeding physical function – Ms Gill Mein (University of St George's Hospital Medical School – Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences). October 2006

  We are in the process of writing a grant application to examine physical activity as a mediator of physical functioning in older individuals without longstsnding illness: bio-psychosocial and physiological pathways impeding phyical function.

• Intergenerational exchange in contemporary UK – Dr Tak Wing Chan (Oxford: New College – Sociology). September 2006

  To describe the structure of the relationship between adult children and their non-coresident parents in contemporary UK. This includes studies of the exchange of practical support, contact and proximity between parents and children.
  Other surveys used: LSYPE GHS.

• Compensating Wage Differentials – Dr Joachim Inkmann. September 2006

  Labor theory predicts that employees select themselves into occupations, which offer a mix of wage and non-wage (or fringe) benefits that matches their preferences. The theory of equalizing differences summarized by Rosen (1986) implies that employees receiving higher fringe benefits are paid a lower wage than otherwise identical employees preferring lower fringe benefits. Hence, the sign of a fringe benefits variable in a correctly specified wage regression should turn out negative after controlling for qualification and other characteristics affecting wages. The magnitude of the estimated coefficient should be one in absolute terms unless fringe benefits increase the productivity of employees, in which case the coefficient should be less than one in absolute terms. The goal of this project is a quantification of the wage differentials implied by occupational pension scheme benefits in the UK. The recent discussion of a possible introduction of addi-tional mandatory contributions in the UK as a mean to increase retirement savings (compare the first report of the Pensions Commission, 2004) clearly demands for an analysis of compensating wage differentials. If additional contributions reduce earnings by the same magnitude, one has good reason to assume that crowding out of existing savings occurs, which mitigates the effectiveness of the policy instrument. The empirical analysis will be carried out on the basis of the first two waves of ELSA. The research project is funded by the Dutch Network for Studies on Pensions, Aging and Retirement (www.netspar.nl) headed by Tilburg University.

• Successful ageing – Dr Martyn Sherriff (University of King's College London – Department of Biomaterial Science). September 2006

  The research aims to investigate the distribution of ageing patterns in England. It tests the hypotheses that the definition of successful ageing by Rowe and Kahn can be reproduced in English populations and that social economic ethnic and geographic factors do not influence successful ageing.

• Replicating Banks et al., JAMA May 3, 2006 – Professor Lynn Roy LaMotte. September 2006

  The data will be used by graduate biostatistics students under my supervision to replicate the statistical analyses in the May 3, 2006, paper by J. Banks et al. in J. Amer. Med. Assoc.
  Other surveys used: HSE.

• Comparatative analyses ELSA Wave II - SHARE 2004 - HRS 2004 – Morten Wahrendorf. August 2006

  - comparative analyses of SHARE 2004, ELSA Wave II and HRS 2004 data - cross-cultural comparison of well-being and health as determined by different aspects of a psychosocial environment - The SHARE data collection has been mainly funded by the European Commission through the 5th framework programme (project QLK6-CT-2001). Additional funding was received from the U.S. National Institute on Aging (U01AG09740-13S2, P01 AG005842, P01 AG08293, P30 AG12815, Y1-AG- 4553-01 and OGHA 04-064), the Austrian Science Fund, the Belgian Science Policy Office and the Swiss Federal Office of Education and Science.

• Analysis of ELSA data – Dr Nicholas Steel (University of East Anglia – School of Medicine Health Policy and Practice). August 2006

  I am interested in ELSA data, particularly on health and health care, and quality of health care. I am currently funded through a national primary care researcher development award from the National Co-ordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development, and will continue to use the data after the grant expiry, when I will be funded by the University of East Anglia.

• Exploring savings and assets by gender – Mr Stephen Mckay (University of Bristol – Geographical Sciences). August 2006

  Project to look at gender differences in levels of savings, assets and debt. Plan to look at the information at individual level, rather than aggregating to household level. In collaboration with Fawcett Society.
  Other surveys used: EFS BCS BSA BHPS.

• Comissioning and performance (PSSRU) – Dr Julien Forder (University of London School of Economics – PSSRU). August 2006

  Department of Health funded research in social care. This work looks at the demand and financing of social care services for older people. It builds on work undertaken for the Wanless Social Care Review.
  Other surveys used: FRS BHPS.

• Health inequalities, lifecourse, demography – Dr Elizabeth Breeze (University of University College London – Epidemiology and Public Health). August 2006

  The data will be used by the ELSA team at UCL for varied analyses, including longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses. Topics include health inequalities, the ways in which biological and self-report measures complement each other, demographic changes, social support and quality of life.

• Contextual effects on social participation and health in an ageing cohort – Dr Mai Stafford (University of University College London – Epidemiology and Public Health). July 2006

  As the population ages it is clearly important to identify ways to help older people maintain their mobility, independence and quality of life. As people move into retirement, it is likely that many will spend more time in their local area and thus be more exposed to, and more dependent on, features of the local environment. For example, the availability of local facilities, social capital and crime rates or perceived crime may be important in determining an older resident's willingness to go outside their home. This may, in turn, influence maintenance of physical function. Social participation in activities outside the home may additionally have benefits for mental health and quality of life.

• Early geographical correlates of health – Professor Robert Kaestner. July 2006

  Study whether infant mortality at the time of birth has effect on health at older ages. Using data on infant mortality at the administrative (county) level, analyze whether increases in infant mortality during WWII are associated with adverse health events in later life.
  Other surveys used: HSE BHPS.

• Ageing and intergenerational transfers – Dr Ralitza Dimova (Brunel University – Economics and Finance). July 2006

  The intended data usage is collaborative research on intergenerational transfers and living conditions of elderly people in England and continental Europe, co-athored with French economists. The main target is to publish the output in recognized refereed international journals.

• Research Proposal – Mrs Stefanie Behncke. June 2006

  I would like to investigate the impact of depression on labour market outcomes for the elderly population. This could be one topic of my Phd thesis. Similar resaerch has been done for USA with the HRS, but as far as I know, not for Europe. Often the selection and endogeneity problems have not been addressed properly.

• Teaching – Dr Debora Price (University of King's College London – Gerontology). June 2006

  For use in a research methods course for MSc, MRes and Diploma students in Gerontology. The course is an introduction to data analysis for SPSS and the use of ELSA will allow us to use relevant and meaningful examples, also hopefully to encourage the use of ELSA in dissertation research.

• Local influences on older people's social participation and health – Dr Mai Stafford (University of University College London – Epidemiology and Public Health). May 2006

  As people move into retirement, it is likely that many will spend more time in their local area and thus be more exposed to, and more dependent on, features of the local environment. The availability of local facilities, social capital and crime rates or perceived crime may be important in determining an older resident's willingness to go outside their home. This may, in turn, influence maintenance of physical function and mental health and quality of life. Examples of hypotheses to be tested are: H1. Local social capital (trust, reciprocity, sense of belonging, group membership, social disorder) is associated with mental health and social support. H2. The association between social capital and health is larger for older people living alone than for those living with partners or other family members. H3. Access to local amenities and public transport is associated with better maintenance of physical mobility and health-related quality of life. Research funded by Department of Health (personal award).

• Trends in and transitions to unpaid caregiving – Dr Michael Hirst (University of York – Social Policy Research Unit). April 2006

  To extend earlier work examining caring relationships over time, and caring-related inequalities. Funded by the UK Department of Health.
  Other surveys used: TimeUse BSA GHS EFS BHPS.

• MSc Research Methods – Mr Nick Foard (Nottingham Trent University, The – Graduate School). March 2006

  Data will be used for teaching purposes on a module entitled 'Advanced Data Analysis' on the MSc Research Methods at Nottingham Trent University. The course is part funded by the European Social Fund and part funded by students' own fees.
  Other surveys used: BSA GHS HSE Omnibus BHPS .

• Quantitative methods teaching – Dr David Barron (Oxford: Jesus College – Said Business School). February 2006

  Intended for use in teaching quantitative methods to master's degree students.
  Other surveys used: LFS BHPS.

• Living Arrangements, Economics and Health – Dr Michael Pollard. January 2006

  Data will be used in conjunction with Health and Retirement Survey (US) and SHARE data (several European countries) to do cross-national research on how economics, marital status, and public policy affect living arrangements and health. No funding sources have been approached yet.

• Time use and care/social capital of older people – Dr Anne Gray (London South Bank University – Families and Social Capital Research Group). December 2005

  Work on social capital of older people within Time Use and Care sub-project of the ESRC Research Group on Families and Social Capital at London South Bank University. Interested in analysing data on extended family relationships and on friends; correlating this with socio-demographic background info and feelings of loneliness, depression etc. This will be used to contextualise author's quantitative work on Time Use Survey and qualitative work with small sample of older people using day centres in London. This work is part of a large project funded by the ESRC
  Other surveys used: BHPS.

• Inequalities in Health Service Utilisation – Dr Alex Gibson (University of Exeter – Geography). November 2005

  The aim of the research is to examine use/need differences with respect to primary and secondary health services at GPO and PCO level.
  Other surveys used: HSE.

• Establishing trends for physical and psychosocial health – Dr Colin Greaves (Mid Devon PCT – Mid Devon Primary Care Research Group). November 2005

  Establishing trends for physical and psychosocial health to compare with findings of an observational study of elderly people receiving a social networking intervention. This is for use in discussing the results and setting the context of declining (we presume) physical and psychosocial health in the elderly. Funding source = Upstream Healthy Living Centre (funded in turn by The Big Lottery)

• Social Statistics and Data Analysis Online Course – Dr Philip Edwards (University of Manchester – Law). September 2005

  Datasets are being used to update the online course in Social Statistics and Data Analysis offered by the University of Manchester School of Law (course ID LW2452). This is a 30-day project, funded from the Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund.
  Other surveys used: LFS HSE.

• Study on housing-rich income-poor pensioners – Ms Sonia Sodha. August 2005

  I am working on a project on the use of housing wealth across the lifecycle. One aspect of this project is seeking to establish the extent to which there exists a 'housing-rich, income-poor' category of pensioners, both using conventional measures of housing wealth, and a measure of excess capacity.

• Sizing the illicit drugs market – Dr Jonathan Burton (University of Essex – ISER). August 2005

  Funded by the Home Office.
  Other surveys used: Omnibus BCS MCS BHPS.

• Pensioner expenditure patterns – Mrs Julie Williams (University of York – Social Policy Research Unit). July 2005

  Work for DWP to look at the important factors in explaining why some pensioners do not spend all their income.
  Other surveys used: FES EFS BHPS.

• Health and socioeconomic links – Dr Stephen Hopkins (University of Manchester – Medicine). July 2005

  Exploring value for health and socioeconomic links. Pilot investigation - unfunded.

• International comparison of daily functioning and solving problems – Mr Evert Pommer. June 2005

  The Dutch system of long-term care can be characterized as generous. Moreover, it also includes some services that can be classified as medical and services that can be classified as social. At this moment, the Dutch system is being revised. The target is to reduce the long-term care sector and to transfer some medical parts to the health care sector (national level) and some social parts to the welfare sector (local level). Because of this revision, the Dutch ministry of Health care is interested in an international comparison of long-term care facilities. The Dutch Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP) is familiar with research on long-term care at the micro level. The perspective of the citizen is central: which need exists, which need leads in which circumstances to demand on public services, which demand on public services leads in which circumstances to consumption of public services, and so on. So in this research the central question is how people in different countries solve their problems with daily functioning and which problems are solved by informal care, private care and public care.

• Exploring community – Dr Chris Gilleard (SW London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust – Psychology). June 2005

  Individual academic inquiry into the nature of community as evidenced in the lives of successive birth cohorts - particularly those born in the 1940s, 1930s, 1920s - as evidenced through information on housing, area, 'social capital' measures and length of residency.

• Analysis of incentives in care pathways – Mr Chris Gibbins (Department of Health – Corporate Analytical Team). April 2005

  The data will be used, along with data from a range of other sources, in an analysis of the incentives operating at key decision points in patients' care pathways into secondary care. Initial analysis will focus on patients with chest pain. The work is being undertaken as part of the Department of Health's internal analytical programme.
  Other surveys used: HSE.

• Mortality perceptions – Professor Paul Fenn (University of Nottingham – Business). April 2005

  Use of ELSA to explore variations in mortlaity perceptions in relation to pension and insurance take-up; funded by the Institute of Actuaries

• Further analysis of ELSA health data – Mrs Susan Maisey (University of East Anglia – Medicine, Health Policy and Practice). April 2005

  Comparison of disease symptoms with established diagnoses. In depth analysis of regional and socioeconomic determinants of health and health care delivery. Work to be carried out for Dr N. Steel, who is supported by the UK National Coordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development.
  Other surveys used: WHS.

• Analysis of Employee Compensation Packages – Dr Joachim Inkmann (University of London School of Economics – Financial Markets Group). April 2005

  This project investigates the components of employee compensation packages consisting of wages and additional benefits such as contributions to pension schemes and health insurance plans. In particular, the project tries to answer the question if there are systematic differences in the composition of the compensation packages between employees participating in occupational Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) Pension Schemes. The project is conducted within the UBS Pensions Research Programme of LSE's Financial Markets Group.

• Health and Retirement Study – Mr Michael Nolte. April 2005

  Cross-study metadata database

• Health service use by people with long term conditions – Mr Roger Halliday (Department of Health – Department of Health). April 2005

  Policy analysis of the use made of different parts of the health service by people with different long term conditions
  Other surveys used: GHS HSE LFS BHPS.

• Primary analysis of ELSA – Dr Elizabeth Breeze (University of University College London – Epidemiology and Public Health). March 2005

  Analysis by UCL researchers for fulfilling primary purposes of ELSA - i.e. enhancing understanding of how economic, social and health circumstances change as people age; to examine the interrelationships between different areas of life; to understand what accounts for the variety of patterns, especially differences between socioeconomic groups. Also to undertake secondary analyses concerning the demographic, psychosocial and health aspects of ELSA.

• Analysis of ELSA wave 1 health data – Dr Nicholas Steel (University of East Anglia – School of Medicine Health Policy and Practice). March 2005

  Analysis of ELSA wave 1 health data. NS is supported by the UK National Coordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development.

• Welfare rankings of pensioner households: a non-parametric approach – Mr Andrew Leicester (Institute for Fiscal Studies – Consumption Sector). 0000

  Aim to rank the welfare of pensioner households using data from the first wave of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Putting together lots of welfare indicators into a single index from which we can rank observations is hard; this paper uses a non-parametric approach which negates the need to write down an explicit welfare function.

• Inequalities in health – Dr Hendrik Juerges. 0000

  To study inequalites in health among the elderly population across Europe, by using ELSA data in conjunction with the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)