218598 Data Linkage and Public Health Research: Examples from Environmental Epidemiology, and Maternal and Child Health

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 8:50 AM - 9:10 AM

Wei Yang, PhD, MD , School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV
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.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
All participants will be able to identify at least five public health information systems that might be used to cross match and can be used to answer research questions that a stand along system unable to achieve.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As I am the Director of the Nevada Center for Health Statistics and Informatics
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.