Health Inequalities Research Programme (HIRP), Department of Public Health

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The Health Inequalities Research Programme (HIRP) is a longstanding programme of research hosted by the Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington. HIRP encompasses a series of research projects including the New Zealand Census Mortality and CancerTrends Study (NZCMS/CT), the Healthier Lives National Science Challenge and the Virtual Health Information Network (VHIN). The aim of HIRP is to capitalise on New Zealand's Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) to provide information to influence and support policies and programmes that will reduce inequalities in health. HIRP research has a strong epidemiological base with expertise in data linkage, administrative data, mediation analysis and monitoring of inequalities over time. This programme of work originates from an HRC funded programme of research from 2005-2011. HIRP is closely aligned with the Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme (BODE³).

Virtual Health Information Network

The Virtual Health Information Network (VHIN) is continuing to grow and develop, with the 2017 launch of its website, online discussions via Facebook, presentations of current Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) research and through sharing code, expertise and advice. The VHIN is a network of researchers, analysts and other professionals who use health data to generate insights that support the health and wellness of all New Zealanders. The network facilitates sharing and collaboration amongst network members in order to enhance health research outputs and improve health service delivery and health outcomes in New Zealand. The expansion of health data in the Statistics New Zealand (IDI) has provided the necessary infrastructure for researchers and analysts to access NZ health data more readily and, in addition, health data linked to social and economic data.

Visit the VHIN website or if you have any queries email vhin@otago.ac.nz

News and events

VHIN Introduction to health research in the IDI

Are you considering using the IDI but aren't sure where to begin? Are you interested in learning more about how the IDI can be used for health research? There is a course available in Dunedin in November 2018. For more details, visit the course information page.

NZCMS/CT Interactive Data Explorer

This Data Explorer allows you to interactively graph Mortality and Cancer incidence data by age, sex, ethnicity, income and education (more data on smoking to be added in the coming months). The graphs are of publication quality and you can also use the tool to download any data that you might need - NZCMS/CT Data Explorer.

Public Health Expert Blog

Visit the Public Health Expert Blog. Some recent blogs related to HIRP are below:

• Why are some preventable cancer deaths in Maori and Pacific peoples increasing?
• Casting a long shadow: Infection drives stomach cancer inequalities in Māori and Pacific peoples

Book release - The Healthy Country? A History of Life and Death in New Zealand by Alistair Woodward & Tony Blakely

More information about this book release can be found here.