Social capital

Attended a community event

Between 2002 and 2006, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of persons aged 45 years and over who attended a community event at least once in the last 6 months (53.6 per cent to 58.1 per cent). The significant increase was among males (49.8 per cent to 55.3 per cent) and females (57.2 per cent to 60.7 per cent), all age groups except 75 years and over, the second (53.1 per cent to 58.8 per cent) and fourth (53.6 per cent to 60.1 per cent) quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and all categories of geographical accessibility.

Helped out a local group or organisation

Between 2002 and 2006, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of persons aged 45 years and over who helped out a local group or organisation at least once in the last 3 months (33.4 per cent to 36.5 per cent). The significant increase was among males (32.4 per cent to 36.0 per cent), persons aged 55-64 years (30.7 per cent to 37.1 per cent), and the second (32.5 per cent to 39.1 per cent) and third (32.9 per cent to 38.0 per cent) quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage.

Active member of a local organisation or church or club

Between 2002 and 2006, there has been no significant variation in the proportion of persons aged 45 years and over who were active members of a local organisation or church or club. However, there was a significant increase among persons in the least disadvantaged quintile (41.9 per cent to 49.0 per cent), and significant decreases among persons in the second most disadvantaged quintile (53.8 per cent to 47.2 per cent), and the inner regional (53.7 per cent to 49.3 per cent) and outer regional (57.9 per cent to 53.3 per cent) categories of geographical accessibility.

Most people can be trusted

Between 2002 and 2007, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of persons aged 45 years and over who felt most people can be trusted (68.7 per cent to 74.6 per cent). The significant increase was among males (71.2 per cent to 75.7 per cent) and females (66.2 per cent to 73.6 per cent), all age groups except 75 years and over, the second least (70.0 per cent to 75.5 per cent) and second most (67.1 per cent to 76.0 per cent) quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and all categories of geographical accessibility except outer regional.

Feel safe walking down their street after dark

Between 2002 and 2007, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of persons aged 45 years and over who felt safe walking down their street after dark (60.5 per cent to 67.9 per cent). The significant increase was among males (73.8 per cent to 80.1 per cent) and females (47.7 per cent to 56.6 per cent), the three most disadvantaged quintiles (60.0 per cent to 66.3 per cent, 56.0 to 66.5 per cent, 50.9 to 58.1 per cent), and all categories of geographical accessibility.

Area has a reputation for being safe

Between 2002 and 2007, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of persons aged 45 years and over who said their area had a reputation for being safe (75.2 per cent to 79.7 per cent). The significant increase was among males (77.1 per cent to 81.1 per cent) and females (73.5 per cent to 78.4 per cent), the 55-64 years (75.2 per cent to 80.5 per cent) and 65-74 years (74.1 per cent to 82.5 per cent) age groups, the second most disadvantaged quintile (72.3 per cent to 79.2 per cent), and the major cities (72.1 per cent to 77.3 per cent) and outer regional (83.5 per cent to 86.6 per cent) categories of geographical accessibility.

Visited neighbours in the last week

Between 2002 and 2007, there has been no significant variation in the proportion of persons aged 45 years and over who visited neighbours in the last week.

Ran into friends and acquaintances while shopping locally

Between 2002 and 2007, there has been no significant variation in the proportion of persons aged 45 years and over who ran into friends and acquaintances while shopping locally. However, there was a significant decrease among persons aged 55-64 years (85.1 per cent to 80.9 per cent) and persons in the fourth quintile of socioeconomic disadvantage (88.8 per cent to 85.6 per cent).

Would feel sad if had to leave neighbourhood

Between 2002 and 2007, there has been no significant variation in the proportion of persons aged 45 years and over who would feel sad if they had to leave their neighbourhood. However, there was a significant increase among persons aged 45-54 years (73.1 per cent to 78.4 per cent).

Graphs

Source:	New South Wales Population Health Survey 2007 (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
Print version:	Although this page can be printed directly from your web browser, a higher quality version is available as a PDF file that can be printed or viewed on screen.
Produced by:	Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on:	1 June 2008