How Data Security Concerns Can Hinder Natural Experiment Research: Background and Potential Solutions

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Public Health Policy
• Data Security

Background:

• Health economists utilize geocoded data for natural experiments to study policy impacts.
• Geocoded data analysis offers causal interpretations but faces challenges due to confidentiality concerns.
• E-cigarette research exemplifies the value and limitations of natural experiments when data access is restricted.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the value of natural experiments in health economics research.
• To illustrate how data security concerns impede rigorous scientific inquiry.
• To propose solutions for balancing data access and confidentiality.

Main Methods:

• Review of natural experiment methodology in health economics.
• Case study analysis of e-cigarette research challenges.
• Development of recommendations for data sharing and security.

Main Results:

• Natural experiments are valuable for policy analysis but require geocoded data.
• Confidentiality concerns often prevent data providers from sharing geocoded datasets.
• Research progress can be significantly slowed by data access limitations.

Conclusions:

• Provide aggregated data access at broader levels (e.g., state) to mitigate security risks.
• Streamline project approval processes to accommodate lengthy peer-review timelines.
• Enhance communication and transparency between data providers and researchers.
• Leverage the Foundations for Evidence Based Policymaking Act of 2018 to improve geocoded data utilization for natural experiments while ensuring security.