Comparisons between HSE’s nine surveys of self-reported work-related illness (SWI) have to be based on a restricted coverage (e.g. those working in the last 12 months in England and Wales), and even then are affected by differences in survey design.

These comparisons suggest that over the long term, the overall prevalence rate of self-reported work-related illness has fallen since 1990. In 1990 and 1995 the estimated rates were similar (not statistically significantly different). More recently they have fluctuated, but the rate in 2007/08 was statistically significantly lower than those in all preceding surveys since 1990 except 2005/06 and 2004/05, where the rates were similar (not statistically significantly different).

The estimated prevalence rate of stress and related (mainly heart) conditions increased during the 1990s, then appeared to level off between 1998/99 and 2004/05, at around double the level of 1990, but has fluctuated since.

For musculoskeletal disorders, these comparisons suggest that over the long term the estimated prevalence rate has fallen since 1990. As for self-reported work-related illness overall, the rate in 2007/08 was lower than in all preceding surveys since 1990 except 2005/06 and 2004/05, where the rates were similar (not statistically significantly different).

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