Data Linkage and Public Health Research: Examples from Environmental Epidemiology, and Maternal and Child Health

Data linkage between health information systems is an invaluable tool for public health research. Examples of data-linkage and analysis between risk factors and health outcomes using existing public health information systems are presented. Cross matched using probabilistic record linkage algorithm were conducted between public health information systems. The associations between air quality and health effects are studied using information systems including hospital admissions, school absenteeism, and birth registry. Another example is to study the risk factors among HIV positive pregnant women, which involves data linkages among registry systems of HIV/AIDS, birth, and death. Multiple research questions have been answered by data linkage among health information systems. Data linkage among existing public health data systems provides cost-effective, unbiased population picture, and enables studies to be done that could not otherwise be performed.