The WA Family Connections Project was initiated in 2003. The aim was to connect the health history profiles of related individuals through an additional system of linkages to represent genealogicalRelating to the history of a person, family or group. relationships, defined through birth, death and marriage registrations.
The Family Connections Project uses the protocols and procedures developed for the WA 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. System, which are accepted as international best practice. Governance is through the WA Department of Health, the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and the Data Linkage Advisory Board.
Research Capabilities
Population level study of complex disease relies on genealogical information and health history. Further the estimation of risk of diseases associated with particular genes is more reliable and free from bias if cohorts are selected from the whole population.
Western Australia's rich health and vital statistics data sources, and data linkage capability is able to make a unique contribution to estimate genetic risk and gene-environment interactions on a population level. The genealogical links now connected to the established WA Data Linkage System can support large-scale human genome research.
For further information, please contact Dr Emma Glasson at emma.glasson@health.wa.gov.au