Activity limitation is a dimension of health/disability capturing long-standing limitation in performing usual activities (due to health problems). Indicators based on this concept can be used to evaluate the general health status, disability and related inequalities and health care needs at the population level.
The Global Activity Limitation Indicator (GALI) is implemented in social surveys such as the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) (HS3 variable), the Labour force survey (EU-LFS) (GALI variable) and the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) (PH030 variable). It consists in a two-question instrument designed to measure the presence of long-standing limitations in usual activities due to health problems.
An example of the operational definition used within the European Statistical System is presented below:
QUESTION 1: Are you limited because of a health problem in activities people usually do? Would you say you are… severely limited, limited but not severely, or not limited at all?
If answer to QUESTION 1 is ‘severely limited’ or ‘limited but not severely’ then a second question is asked:
QUESTION 2: Have you been limited for at least the past 6 months? Yes, No.
Further information
Related concepts
- Disability
- Basic activity difficulty
- Longstanding health problems or diseases
- Self-perceived health
- Chronic morbidity
- Healthy Life Years