Data linkageThe process of establishing whether two or more pieces of information belong to or describe the same person, family, event, place or time period. has been used for health and medical research in WA since the 1970s. The activities are now a coordinated and collaborative effort between the Department of Health Western Australia (DOHWADepartment of Health Western Australia), the University of Western Australia (UWAUniversity of Western Australia), the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (TICHRTelethon Institute of Child Health Research) and Curtin University.
The WA Data Linkage System was established in 1995 to connect all available health and related information for the WA population. This information is used for ethically approved research, planning and evaluation projects which aim to improve the health of Western Australians.