Data linkage is an invaluable tool for population health research. It provides a completely unbiased picture of the entire population, is cost-effective and enables studies to be done that could not otherwise be performed.

The inaugural meeting of the International Health Data Linkage Network was held over the 2 days of 4th & 5th December at the Congress Centre, London, United Kingdom. It was hosted by the Research and Development Directorate of the National Health Service.

The aims of the network are:

• To establish and maintain an effective and useful network of health data linkage centres
• To foster collaboration and exchange programs between data linkage centres
• To produce a compendium of measurements based on linkage of health data across Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom
• To record the outputs from health data linkage activities and programs across the globe

Over 30 participants from Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand attended the meeting. They represent or are affiliated with the following data linkage operations:

Australia

• Centre for Health Record Linkage
• WA Data Linkage Branch

Canada

• British Columbia Linked Health Database
• Centre for Health and Policy Studies, University of Calgary and Health Services Assessment Unit
• Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences
• Manitoba Centre for Health Policy
• Statistics Canada

United Kingdom

• Oxford Record Linkage Group
• Scottish Medical Record Linkage System

A core group has been  involved with the organisation of the inaugural meeting, who have been negotiating the arrangements for the last two years and who have all signed up to an initial MOU, stating their intentions to form an international network. However, all are welcomed who wish to  become a part of the network.

For further information about this initiative, please email Emma.Fuller@health.wa.gov.au