Williamson, L.E.P. & Dibben, C. (2013) SHIP conference: Exploiting Existing Data for Health Research, University of St Andrews, UK, 28 - 30 August 2013 [SLS]

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Abstract:

This study is part of the research programme involving data linkage within the Scottish Health Informatics Programme (SHIP). The research draws on and extends work on reproductive histories and life outcomes. Previous studies have shown that the number of children (parity) can be linked to specific health outcomes in mid and later life for women (references can be provided). We aim to extend this research specifically for Scotland based on Scottish data, namely the Scottish Longitudinal Study (SLS) linked to health data from the NHS Scottish Morbidity Record (SMR) datasets, including the maternity dataset SMR02 (as parity is only recorded for married women at birth registration in Scotland).

The aim of this SHIP project, involving data linkage and health outcomes, is to gain a full understanding of the impact of both fertility histories and childlessness on health outcomes and mortality. In addition, we plan to compare findings with previous research where applicable. This research is only for specific female SLS birth cohorts, as it is acknowledged that we are not able to follow-up all SLS members or SLS members to old ages since the SMR02 is only available from 1975. Nevertheless, the SLS allows follow-up of the specific SLS birth cohorts from the 1991 Census until 2009 (the most recent year death data is available linked to the SLS). From preliminary modelling, in line with previous research, we find high birth parity to be an important factor in relation to mortality.

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Output from project: 2011_002