Democratising data to address health system inequities in Australia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21881058 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stephanie M Topp (0000-0002-3448-7983, James Cook University, corresponding author), Fintan Thompson (0000-0002-0798-2671, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine), Karen Johnston (0000-0001-5663-3390, James Cook University), Deborah Smith (0000-0003-4729-7166, James Cook University), Alexandra Edelman (0000-0002-2021-5266, James Cook University), Molly Whittaker (0000-0002-1677-2991, James Cook University), Christopher Rouen (0000-0001-6471-1643, James Cook University), Nishila Moodley (0000-0003-0375-2438, James Cook University), Malcolm McDonald (0000-0003-3708-0545, James Cook University), Ruth Barker (0000-0002-2546-2581, James Cook University), Sarah Larkin (0000-0002-7561-3202, James Cook University) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | e012094 |
| Publication date | 2023-05-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | BMJ Global Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908 |
| Publisher | BMJ (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012094 |
| PMID | 37197792 |
| OpenAlex | W4377011300 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 6 |
Understanding the health status of a population or community is crucial to equitable service planning. Among other uses, data on health status can help local and national planners and policy makers understand patterns and trends in current or emerging health and well-being, especially how disparities relating to geography, ethnicity, language and living with disability influence access to services. In this practice paper we draw attention to the nature of Australia’s health data challenges and call for greater ‘democratisation’ of health data to address health system inequities. Democratisation implies the need for greater quality and representativeness of health data as well as improved access and usability that enable health planners and researchers to respond to health and health service disparities efficiently and cost-effectively. We draw on learnings from two practice examples, marred by inaccessibility, reduced interoperability and limited representativeness. We call for renewed and urgent attention to, and investment in, improved data quality and usability for all levels of health, disability and related service delivery in Australia
Business · Environmental health · Health equity · Interoperability · Political science · Population · Population health · Public health · Public relations · Representativeness heuristic · Usability · World Wide Web · Chronic Disease Management Strategies · Computer Science · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Medicine · Nursing · Primary Care and Health Outcomes · Psychology · Health Policy
| Highly cited | No |
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