The Population Health and Wellbeing research theme undertakes large scale population studies, using statistical and epidemiological methods, to describe the impact of various factors and events on the lives of children and young people. Many of the research projects involve linkage of information on the same individual from multiple sources. The use of linked data allows a contextual understanding of the complex interactions of the many influences on the development of children and young people, an understanding that breaks down the administrative “silos’ of health, education and other social services. Many projects, based on analysis of “data”, are complemented by qualitative research that deepens the interpretation of information.
At the heart of most projects within the Population Health and Wellbeing stream is the CYDRP data repository which contains de-identified but linked information for all NT children and young people born from 1986 onwards. The repository is regularly updated and the current edition, referred to as Extract 3, contains information from 23 datasets, across health, education, child protection and justice sectors. The repository contains only de-identified information and is held on a secure server with restricted access. Extract 3 provides the capability for analysis of life-course development to young adulthood, as well as assessment of the influence of characteristics of mothers and siblings on outcomes for a child. Discussions have commenced for the development of Extract 4 which is planned to be available in the second half of 2024.
Separate to research that utilises the CYDRP data repository there is also capability for stand-alone linkage studies and for more general population and service-related research and evaluation. Examples of the wider engagement of CCDE researchers in linkage studies include the ‘Impacts of Banned Drinkers Register Re-introduction in Northern Territory’ study and collaboration with health workforce studies.