Creation of First Nations Health Profiles Through Data Linkage in Manitoba

BackgroundFirst Nation peoples (FNs) were not able to identify themselves within administrative datasets due to lack of FNs identifiers, which perpetuates a pan-indigenous approach in advocacy and evaluation capabilities. Linking databases improves the quality and accuracy of FNs health data and offsets the burden of survey fatigue in communities. Creating community profiles helps FNs in identifying health status priorities for communities, Tribal Council and other geographically defined areas.
 MethodsA resolution was passed in September 2017 to link Indian Status Registry (ISR) file with Manitoba Health Registry, with First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM) and Health Information Research Governance Committee (HIRGC) oversight to create a Key Linked file which has First Nations specific information. Encrypted Personal Health Information Numbers (PHINs) were added to the Key Linked file to create a Manitoba First Nations Research file which is linkable to other databases. Information Sharing Agreements (ISA) have been developed with federal and provincial governments to mandate the processes for data linkage.
 ResultsA resolution was passed in Se