scholarly journals Correcting for Misreporting of Government Benefits

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolas Mittag

Data linkage studies often document, but do not remedy, severe survey errors. To improve survey estimates despite restricted linked data access, this paper develops a convenient and general estimation method that combines public use data with conditional distribution parameters estimated from linked data. Analyses using linked SNAP data show that this method sharply improves estimates and consistently outperforms corrections that mainly rely on survey data. Yet, some univariate corrections perform well when linked data do not exist. For SNAP, extrapolating from linked data across time and geography still improves upon estimates using survey data only, even after survey-based corrections. (JEL C81, C83, H75, I18, I38)

Author(s):  
Colleen Loos ◽  
Gita Mishra ◽  
Annette Dobson ◽  
Leigh Tooth

IntroductionLinked health record collections, when combined with large longitudinal surveys, are a rich research resource to inform policy development and clinical practice across multiple sectors. Objectives and ApproachThe Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) is a national study of over 57,000 women in four cohorts. Survey data collection commenced in 1996. Over the past 20 years, ALSWH has also established an extensive data linkage program. The aim of this poster is to provide an overview of ALSWH’s program of regularly up-dated linked data collections for use in parallel with on-going surveys, and to demonstrate how data are made widely available to research collaborators. ResultsALSWH surveys collect information on health conditions, ageing, reproductive characteristics, access to health services, lifestyle, and socio-demographic factors. Regularly updated linked national and state administrative data collections add information on health events, health outcomes, diagnoses, treatments, and patterns of service use. ALSWH’s national linked data collections, include Medicare Benefits Schedule, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the National Death Index, the Australian Cancer Database, and the National Aged Care Data Collection. State and Territory hospital collections include Admitted Patients, Emergency Department and Perinatal Data. There are also substudies, such as the Mothers and their Children’s Health Study (MatCH), which involves linkage to children’s educational records. ALSWH has an internal Data Access Committee along with systems and protocols to facilitate collaborative multi-sectoral research using de-identified linked data. Conclusion / ImplicationsAs a large scale Australian longitudinal multi-jurisdictional data linkage and sharing program, ALSWH is a useful model for anyone planning similar research.


Author(s):  
Tavinder Kaur Ark ◽  
Sarah Kesselring ◽  
Brent Hills ◽  
Kim McGrail

BackgroundPopulation Data BC (PopData) was established as a multi-university data and education resourceto support training and education, data linkage, and access to individual level, de-identified data forresearch in a wide variety of areas including human and community development and well-being. ApproachA combination of deterministic and probabilistic linkage is conducted based on the quality andavailability of identifiers for data linkage. PopData utilizes a harmonized data request and approvalprocess for data stewards and researchers to increase efficiency and ease of access to linked data.Researchers access linked data through a secure research environment (SRE) that is equipped witha wide variety of tools for analysis. The SRE also allows for ongoing management and control ofdata. PopData continues to expand its data holdings and to evolve its services as well as governanceand data access process. DiscussionPopData has provided efficient and cost-effective access to linked data sets for research. After twodecades of learning, future planned developments for the organization include, but are not limitedto, policies to facilitate programs of research, access to reusable datasets, evaluation and use of newdata linkage techniques such as privacy preserving record linkage (PPRL). ConclusionPopData continues to maintain and grow the number and type of data holdings available for research.Its existing models support a number of large-scale research projects and demonstrate the benefitsof having a third-party data linkage and provisioning center for research purposes. Building furtherconnections with existing data holders and governing bodies will be important to ensure ongoingaccess to data and changes in policy exist to facilitate access for researchers.


Author(s):  
Nadine Bachbauer

BackgroundNEPS-SC6-ADIAB is a new linked data product containing survey data of Starting Cohort 6 of the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) and administrative employment data from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the research institute of the Federal Employment Agency. NEPS is provided by the Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi). Starting Cohort 6 of this panel survey includes adults in their professional life, the survey focuses on education in adulthood and lifelong learning. The administrative data in NEPS-SC6-ADIAB consist of comprehensive information on the employment histories. ObjectivesCombining these two data sources increases for example the information about individual employment history. Overall, the data volume is increased by the linkage between the survey data and the administrative data. MethodsA record linkage process was used to link the two data sources. The data access is free for the whole scientific community. In addition to a large number of On-site access locations within Germany, there are also international On-site access locations. Including London and Colchester. In addition a Remote Data Access is offered. ConclusionsThis data linkage project is very innovative and creates an extensive database, which results in extensive analytical potential. A short application example is made to exemplify the comprehensive analytical potential of NEPS-SC6-ADIAB. This ongoing project deals with nonresponse in survey data. The linked data has a variety of variables collected in both data sources, administratively and through the NEPS survey, allowing for comparative analyses. In this case an idea to compensate nonresponse in income data with administrative data is drawn.


Author(s):  
Jennifer Walker ◽  
Bonnie Healy ◽  
Chyloe Healy ◽  
Tina Apsassin ◽  
William Wadsworth ◽  
...  

Topic: Perspectives on Linkage Involving Indigenous dataIndigenous populations across the globe are reaffirming their sovereignty rights in the collection and use of Indigenous data. The Indigenous data sovereignty movement has been widely influential and can be unsettling for those who routinely use population-level linked data that include Indigenous identifiers. Ethical policies that stipulate community engagement for access, interpretation and dissemination of Indigenous data create an enabling environment through the critical process of negotiating and navigating data access in partnership with communities. This session will be designed to create space for leading Indigenous voices to set the tone for the discussion around Indigenous population data linkage. Objectives: To provide participants with an opportunity to build on the themes of Indigenous Data Sovereignty presented in the keynote session as they apply to diverse Indigenous populations. To explore approaches to the linkage of Indigenous-identified population data across four countries, including First Nations in three Canadian regions. To share practical applications of Indigenous data sovereignty on data linkage and analysis and discussion. To center Indigenous-driven data linkage and research. Facilitator:Jennifer Walker. Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health, Laurentian University and Indigenous Lead, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Collaborators: Alberta: Bonnie Healy, Tina Apsassin, Chyloe Healy and William Wadsworth (Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre) Ontario: Carmen R. Jones (Chiefs of Ontario) and Jennifer Walker (Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences) British Columbia: Jeff Reading (Providence Health Centre) and Laurel Lemchuk-Favel (First Nations Health Authority) Australia: Raymond Lovett (Australian National University) Aotearoa / New Zealand: Donna Cormack (University of Otago) United States: Stephanie Rainie and Desi Rodriguez-Lonebear (University of Arizona) Session format: 90 minutesCollaborators will participate in a round-table introduction to the work they are doing. Collaborators will discuss the principles underlying their approaches to Indigenous data linkage as well as practical and concrete solutions to challenges. Questions to guide the discussion will be pre-determined by consensus among the collaborators and the themes will include: data governance, community engagement, Indigenous-led linkage and analysis of data, and decision-making regarding access to linked data. Other participants attending the session will be encouraged to listen and will have an opportunity to engage in the discussion and ask questions. Intended output or outcome:The key outcome of the session will be twofold. First, those actively working with Indigenous linked data will have an opportunity for an in-depth and meaningful dialogue about their work, which will promote international collaboration and sharing of ideas. Second, those with less experience and knowledge of the principles of Indigenous data sovereignty and their practical application will have an opportunity to listen to Indigenous people who are advancing the integration of Indigenous ways of knowing into data linkage and analysis. The output of the session will be a summary paper highlighting both the diversity and commonalities of approaches to Indigenous data linkage internationally. Areas where consensus exists, opportunities for collaboration, and challenges will be highlighted.


Author(s):  
Cordell Golden ◽  
Lisa Mirel

IntroductionThe linkage of survey data with administrative data enhances the scientific value and analytic potential of both sources of information. Combining multiple data sources facilitates richer analyses and allows data users to answer research questions that cannot be addressed easily using a single data source. Objectives and ApproachRecently, the United States National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) collaborated to link two population health surveys conducted by NCHS with housing assistance program data maintained by HUD. The resulting linked data files enable researchers to examine relationships between the receipt of federal housing assistance and health. In this talk, we will describe some of the challenges faced when initiating a data sharing agreement between two federal agencies governed by distinct legislative authorities, particularly issues related to legal requirements and data access. ResultsWe will describe each of the data sources used in the linkage as well as the methodology used to combine the data. Lastly, the discussion will focus on the inter-agency collaboration that led to the production of the supporting technical documentation developed to assist researchers using the linked data files. The linkage of NCHS survey data and HUD administrative data serves as an example of how two agencies were able to overcome challenges to successfully form a data sharing partnership as a cost-effective means to develop a robust data source that benefits the collaborating agencies as well as policy makers and outside researchers. Conclusion/ImplicationsBoth agencies anticipate that this partnership will continue as additional survey and administrative data are collected.


Author(s):  
James Boyd ◽  
Sean Randall ◽  
Emma Fuller

This first collaborative demonstration project of the International Population Data Linkage Network (IPDLN) has recently been completed. This project collated data from five data linkage centres across Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada to investigate the effect of vasectomy reversal on prostate cancer risk in vasectomized men. We discuss the study and the challenges of organising and analysing multi-centre linked data studies.


Author(s):  
Katherine Duszynski ◽  
Stephen E Graves ◽  
Nicole Pratt ◽  
Maria Inacio ◽  
Richard De Steiger ◽  
...  

IntroductionMonitoring of joint replacement (JR) data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) has reduced revision rates and improved surgical practice. Outcome assessment post-arthroplasty is limited however, to revision (reoperation) surgery and mortality outcomes. The AOANJRR National Data Linkage project seeks to broaden the scope of outcomes investigation in Australia by linking registry and health administrative datasets. Objectives and ApproachUsing linked registry and administrative data, the project seeks to describe and quantify national/regional trends and variation in major complications (infection, dislocation, arthrofibrosis, chronic pain, venous thromboembolism, cardiac events), malignancy and health service utilisation (readmissions, emergency encounters and inpatient rehabilitation) following hip, knee and shoulder joint replacement surgery. Evidence will be generated on how these outcomes are associated with and vary according to patient, surgical, implant, hospital and pharmacological factors. As Australia lacks a national identifier, seven linkage agencies are probabilistically linking AOANJRR hip, knee and shoulder replacement data (1999-2017) with 20 datasets. Datasets include government-subsidised health services, procedural and prescription data. Hospital separations and emergency attendance data from Australia’s eight jurisdictions together with national cancer registry and rehabilitation service data are also planned for linkage. Linked data are maintained in a secure remote access computing environment. ResultsTo date, national Medicare Benefits Schedule, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the Australian Cancer Database data have been linked with >900,000 AOANJRR patients, representing 607.6 million health service records (1999-2018), 467.7 million prescriptions (2002-2018) and 184,000 cancer records, respectively. Remaining linked data will be available in mid-2020. Some initial summary results across a selected range of studies will be presented. Conclusion / ImplicationsThis national data-linkage program will identify areas for improvement in joint replacement surgery and modifiable risk factors contributing to poor patient outcomes.


Author(s):  
Colin Babyak ◽  
Abdelnasser Saidi

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe objectives of this talk are to introduce Statistics Canada’s Social Data Linkage Environment (SDLE) and to explain the methodology behind the creation of the central depository and how both deterministic and probabilistic record linkage techniques are used to maintain and expand the environment.ApproachWe will start with a brief overview of the SDLE and then continue with a discussion of how both deterministic linkages and probabilistic linkages (using Statistic Canada’s generalized record linkage software, G-Link) have been combined to create and maintain a very large central depository, which can in turn be linked to virtually any social data source for the ultimate end goal of analysis.ResultsAlthough Canada has a population of about 36 million people, the central depository contains some 300 million records to represent them, due to multiple addresses, names, etc. Although this allows for a significant reduction in missing links, it raises the spectre of additional false positive matches and has added computational complexity which we have had to overcome.ConclusionThe combination of deterministic and probabilistic record linkage strategies has been effective in creating the central depository for the SDLE. As more and more data are linked to the environment and we continue to refine our methodology, we can now move on to the ultimate goal of the SDLE, which is to analyze this vast wealth of linked data.


Author(s):  
Monique F Kilkenny ◽  
Joosup Kim ◽  
Lachlan Dalli ◽  
Amminadab Eliakundu ◽  
Muideen Olaiya

IntroductionStroke is a leading cause of death and disability. Since 2012, our innovative national data linkage program, has enabled the successful linkage of data from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR) with national and state-based datasets to investigate the continuum of stroke care and associated outcomes. Objectives and ApproachUsing stroke as a case study, in this symposium we will describe the use of linked data to undertake clinical and economic evaluations and contribute new knowledge for policy and practice. We have undertaken a range of iterative and innovative projects linking the AuSCR (used now in >80 public hospitals across Australia with follow-up survey of patients between 90-180 days) with various administrative datasets. Linkages with the National Death Index, inpatient admissions and emergency presentations, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), Aged Care services; Ambulance Victoria, Australian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre and general practice network datasets (POLAR) have been achieved. ResultsThe symposium will provide case studies and results from four data linkage projects involving the AuSCR: 1) Stroke123 (NHMRC: #1034415), a study to investigate the impact of quality of acute care on admission/emergency presentations and survival; 2) PRECISE (NHMRC:#1141848), a study to evaluate models of primary care involving linkages with PBS/MBS, aged care services and admissions/emergency data; 3) AMBULANCE: a study to investigate how pre-hospital care affects acute stroke care involving linkages with the ambulance and admissions/emergency datasets; and 4) POLAR: a study to understand the long-term management of stroke involving linkages with primary health data. Conclusion / ImplicationsThe National Stroke Data Linkage Program has been visionary and remains highly contemporary in the field of linked data. A unique feature of this program is the active participation of clinicians and policy-makers to ensure the evidence generated have direct benefits for accelerating change in practice and informing policy.


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