Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence: Services and Programs

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​On this pa​​ge​

  1. ​​​Key facts​​​​​
  2. Who we are
  3. What we do
  4. Our services and programs​
​​

​​​​Key fa​​cts

Each year, the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence:

  • supports over 47,000 users to access information on the health of the population through HealthStats NSW​​​
  • updates over 175 indicators on HealthStats NSW
  • updates and makes over 30 datasets​​​ available for research and government analytics using the Centre for Health Record Linkage’s Master Linkage Key
  • provides over 100 record linkage services, with over 6 billion unique anonymised records released for research and government use
  • monitors more than 40 diagnosis-based emergency department surveillance syndromes and 30 Ambulance call problems, to look for threats to public health
  • publishes the NSW Mothers and Babies report, a comprehensive summary of the health of pregnant women and their babies’ birth outcomes, with data available to download
  • supports monitoring and evaluation of priority programs in the Population and Public Health Division of the NSW Ministry of Health
  • collects health status and behaviour data from over 13,000 participants of the NSW Population Health Survey
  • responds to over 85 requests for access to information and data through the Analytics Assist service,* including requests from Aboriginal organisations and communities through the NSW Data Connector Service​​​​​
  • publishes research and evaluation practice guides, which have been downloaded over 10,000 times
  • trains more than 275 staff in program logic, monitoring and evaluation
  • supports the development of the public health workforce through the Public Health, Biostatistics and Aboriginal Population Health​ training programs. Since the training programs commenced, the Centre has trained over 220 public health officers and over 120 biostatisticians, and supported around 50 Aboriginal population health trainees.
* For internal users​

Who w​e are

The Centre sits in the Population and Public Health Division of the NSW Ministry of Health. The Centre is focused on the collection, linkage, analysis, synthesis, interpretation and communication of complex data and research and evaluation evidence, to support population policy and program implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The Centre aims to support more equitable access to health services and improved health outcomes for people in NSW.

Teams

​Centre for Health Record Linkage

  • ​Client Services
  • Data Integration
  • Data Linkage - Master Linkage Key
  • Data Linkage - Services
  • Strategic Projects

​​Epidemiology and Biostatistics

  • ​​Analytics Assist
  • Closing the Gap Data and Information
  • HealthStats NSW
  • Health Surveillance
  • Health Survey
  • ​Strategic Information

Evidence and Evaluation

  • Aboriginal Health and Equity Evidence and Evaluation
  • Population Health Training
  • Strategic Projects
  • Strategic Research and Evaluation

Population Health Intelligence Systems

  • Epidemiology and Evidence Operations
  • Population Health Secure Analytics
  • Rapid Surveillance
  • Strategic Programs

What we do

The Centre collaborates with a broad range of partners across the Population and Public Health Division of the NSW Ministry of Health, local health districts, and other health and social service agencies to progress work related to population health data, information, reporting and evidence to inform service delivery, policy development and program implementation.

Our portfolio includes program monitoring and evaluation, population-based analytics, population data synthesis and reporting, data linkage, population health information and surveillance systems, and public health workforce and data capability building.

Current focus areas include maternity and early childhood development (the first 2000 days), Aboriginal health, alcohol and other drugs, and oral health.​

​Our services an​d programs

HealthStats NSW

HealthStats NSW​​​​​​​ is an open data website bringing together data from many sources to provide statistical information about the health of the NSW population. Users can view and download data that provide insights into a wide range of health determinants and outcomes.​

Program monitoring, evaluation and research

The Centre supports the evaluation of flagship initiatives across the Ministry. The Centre also provides training and guidance to build the monitoring and evaluation capability of the NSW Health workforce, and funds research groups that conduct strategic policy and program relevant research. Core funding is provided to the Sax Institute which aims to promote the use of research evidence in health policy. Evidence translation is also a key requirement for Prevention Research Support Program recipients.​

​​Aboriginal health and equity evidence and evaluation

The Centre supports the monitoring and evaluation of Aboriginal Health programs and the consideration of equity more broadly, especially for work with a population health focus. The Aboriginal Health and Equity Evidence and Evaluation team supports Closing the Gap program reporting, and works to improve population health outcomes for Aboriginal people, including through maternity and early childhood services.

Aboriginal Population Health Training Initiative (APHTI)

The Centre coordinates this postgraduate training program, which provides workplace-based training for Aboriginal people who have an undergraduate health-related qualification. Trainees gain public health experience through supervised workplace learning and part-time study towards a Master of Public Health degree. The program is delivered through partnerships between the Ministry and NSW Health services.

NSW Biostatistics Training Program

​This postgraduate training program provides workplace-based training for people who have completed undergraduate study in statistics and are committed to a career in biostatistics. Trainees gain experience through supervised workplace learning and part-time study towards a Master of Biostatistics at the University of Sydney.

NSW Public Health Training Program

​This postgraduate training program provides workplace-based training for people who have completed postgraduate  studies in public health. Trainees develop public health competencies and professional networks while addressing strategic and operational priorities of the health system and working to improve the health of the people of NSW.

​Centre for Health Record Linkage 

The Centre for Health Record Linkage​​​​ (the CHeReL) is dedicated to helping researchers, planners and policy makers access linked data about people in NSW and the ACT. The CHeReL provides comprehensive advisory services and a secure, high-performing data linkage service that enables high-quality research and service monitoring and evaluation to inform policy and program decisions.​

Rapid surveillance - PHREDSS

The Rapid Surveillance team provides timely ambulance, emergency department, mortality, and drug and alcohol  intelligence to inform policy, program development and research. The team operates the PHREDSS system, with capability to generate daily syndrome signals, investigate and respond rapidly to emerging public health issues, and provide timely advice and support to public health teams as incidents emerge.​

Maternity, perinatal and early childhood data and analytics

The Centre supports the collection and annual reporting of the NSW Perinatal Data Collection and Register of Congenital Conditions, including through the NSW Mothers and Babies Report​. The Centre also supports the Maternal and Child Health Register, and analysis and reporting on population health risk factors during pregnancy and early childhood. The Centre provides information to support delivery of effective population preventive approaches in maternity and early childhood services.​

Analytics Assist

Analytics Assist connects people, data and information. It is a one-stop-shop for people seeking access to NSW Health information, combining an Open Data internet portal, an information centre for internal staff,* and an analytics advisory service.* Analytics Assist makes it easy for NSW Health staff to find key reports, open data, applications, platforms, training and analytics experts.
* For internal users​

SAPHaRI platform

Secure Analytics for Population Health Intelligence and Research* (SAPHaRI) is an analytics platform designed for statistical analysis of population-health data. Teams within NSW Health are enabled to use unit record data while minimising privacy risks, to support delivery of insights that drive innovation in health care, policy and planning.
* For internal users​

The NSW Population Health Survey

The NSW Population Health Survey collects information about the health and health-related risk factors of NSW residents. The Survey targets around 13,000 respondents each year.

NSW Data Connector Service

This initiative under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4 ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access and use relevant data to monitor efforts to close the gap. The NSW Data Connector Service​​​​ provides a centralised contact for data requests to empower NSW Aboriginal communities.
Current as at: Thursday 14 November 2024
Contact page owner: Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence