Can joined-up data lead to joined-up thinking? The Western Australian developmental pathways project

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Policy
• Data Science

Background:

• Modern societies face complex
• wicked problems
• including low birth weight, obesity, and juvenile crime.
• These issues are multi-causal, difficult to define, and challenging to treat effectively.
• Effective solutions require comprehensive data and joined-up, whole-of-government approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the Developmental Pathways Project, an initiative fostering a preventive, whole-of-government strategy.
• To explore pathways into and out of negative outcomes affecting children and youth.
• To promote cross-agency research, policy development, and preventive solutions.

Main Methods:

• Linking a large number of de-identified administrative databases.
• Connecting agency data and personnel to facilitate collaboration.
• Utilizing linked data to analyze pathways related to adverse child and youth outcomes.

Main Results:

• Enabled the linkage of extensive de-identified administrative data.
• Facilitated cross-agency collaboration through data and personnel integration.
• Provided a foundation for exploring complex pathways influencing child and youth well-being.

Conclusions:

• The Developmental Pathways Project demonstrates a unique approach to tackling
• wicked problems
• through data linkage.
• The initiative shifts the paradigm towards preventive strategies for children and youth.
• Integrated data and cross-agency collaboration are crucial for effective policy and services.