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BMC Medical Research Methodology
Published in: BMC Medical Research Methodology 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Enhanced reporting of deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples using linked administrative health datasets

Authors: Lee K Taylor, Jason Bentley, Jennifer Hunt, Richard Madden, Sybille McKeown, Peter Brandt, Deborah Baker

Published in: BMC Medical Research Methodology | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are under-reported in administrative health datasets in NSW, Australia. Correct reporting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is essential to measure the effectiveness of policies and programmes aimed at reducing the health disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This study investigates the potential of record linkage to enhance reporting of deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in NSW, Australia.

Methods

Australian Bureau of Statistics death registration data for 2007 were linked with four population health datasets relating to hospitalisations, emergency department attendances and births. Reporting of deaths was enhanced from linked records using two methods, and effects on patterns of demographic characteristics and mortality indicators were examined.

Results

Reporting of deaths increased by 34.5% using an algorithm based on a weight of evidence of a person being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and by 56.6% using an approach based on 'at least one report' of a person being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The increase was relatively greater in older persons and those living in less geographically remote areas. Enhancement resulted in a reduction in the urban-remote differential in median age at death and increases in standardised mortality ratios particularly for chronic conditions.

Conclusions

Record linkage creates a statistical construct that helps to correct under-reporting of deaths and potential bias in mortality statistics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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Metadata
Title
Enhanced reporting of deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples using linked administrative health datasets
Authors
Lee K Taylor
Jason Bentley
Jennifer Hunt
Richard Madden
Sybille McKeown
Peter Brandt
Deborah Baker
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medical Research Methodology / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2288
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-12-91

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