Roundtable on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Data Linkage

Approximately 30 people attended the Lowitja Institute and Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) roundtable on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Data Linkage, in Melbourne, on 31 October 2013.

Developing a Data Linkage System to Enable Innovative Research

Australian data linkage researchers and PHRN staff attended a conference, Developing a Data Linkage System to Enable Innovative Research, held at the Social Science Research Centre in Berlin, Germany between 3-4 September 2013.

2013 SHIP Conference

The fourth Scottish Health Informatics Program (SHIP) Conference, "Exploiting Existing Data for Health Research”, was held at St Andrews, Scotland 28-30 August 2013. The conference provided a forum for the presentation of new and exciting research that uses linked, electronic health data and an opportunity to discuss present and future challenges in this area.

Australian Government announces the renewal of NCRIS funding

As part of the 2013-14 Budget, the Australian Government announced additional funding for the renewal of the National Collaborative Research Infrastrcture Strategy (NCRIS). The renewed NCRIS will provide $185.9 million from 2013-14 to 2014-15 to secure Australian researchers’ access to current major research facilities and the supporting infrastructure and networks necessary to undertake world-class research.

Public Support for Data-based Research to Improve Health

The Menzies Foundation hosted a workshop titled "Public Support for Data-based Research to Improve Health" on 16 August 2013 in Melbourne. This invitation-only workshop was attended by more than 50 people including public figures and community representatives, senior public servants, members of parliament, researchers and media.

Qualitative Research into Public Attitudes to Personal Data and Linking Personal Data

The Wellcome Trust (UK) published a summary report of qualitative research into public attitudes to personal data and linking personal data in July 2013.

Productivity Commission report sees benefits in data linkage

A Productivity Commission Staff Working Paper on Deep and Persistent Disadvantage in Australia released on 11 July 2013 argued that administrative data has the potential to provide new knowledge to inform researchers and policy makers about deep and persistent disadvantage.

Health system needs broader focus

Carol Bennett, CEO of Consumers Health Forum of Australia, a not for profit organisation whose affiliates represent two million health consumers, wrote for the Australian Financial Review on 3 June 2013 calling for the linkage of Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data.

Steps to make US government-held data more accessible

On 9 May 2013, President Obama signed an Executive Order that declared that information is a valuable resource and strategic asset for the United States of America. This historic step is expected to make government-held data more accessible.

Former Australian of the Year argues why data sharing can save lives

Former Australian of the Year, Professor Fiona Stanley, spoke with Eleanor Hall on the ABC's "The World Today" (Radio National and local radio) on the 18 April 2013 about how data sharing can save the lives of Australians.

Big Data Week - Events in Perth

Perth is one of the cities taking part in the global ‘Big Data Week’ from the 22-28 April 2013. There is a week-long program of events that includes presentations, networking opportunities and activities which will look at some of the challenges and opportunities presented by the growth of Big Data.

McKeon Review Final Report Released

Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek released the report of the McKeon Review - Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research – Better Health through Research on 5 April 2013.

Survey for Researchers

CSIRO, in collaboration with the Sax Institute, is currently investigating approaches to confidentialisation of outputs from research using linked data conducted in secure analysis laboratory environments.

New Data Analytics Centre of Excellence

Big data strategy issues paper released

The Australian Government Information Management Office have released an Issues paper on Big Data for public comment.

Come get the data, Carr tells researchers

Federal Human Services Minister, Kim Carr, is visiting Australian universities to encourage researchers to use the data which his department is making available.

Appointment Administrative Officer

We are pleased to welcome Mrs Liz Owens to the Program Office as our new Administrative Officer.

Unethical to restrict linkage of health data says Norwegian public health chief

Letting data protection get in the way of linking health data stymies research into vaccination and patient care, and is ultimately unethical, argues Norwegian public health chief.