Australasian Mortality Data Interest Group (AMDIG)
Understanding Mortality Data Workshop

The Queensland Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian, along with Queensland University of Technology’s National Centre for Health Information Research and Training, recently hosted the annual Australasian Mortality Data Interest Group workshop in Brisbane.

The workshop brought together leading professionals from Australia, New Zealand and other countries for two days of discussion and networking about current issues surrounding mortality data with particular emphasis on the Australasian region. 

The workshop provided the opportunity for participants to learn more about the work that is being done in the area of mortality data research with a focus on how this research can strengthen and support both policy development and professional practice with the goal of reducing childhood mortality.

Commissioner Elizabeth Fraser welcomed all attendees and presenters in her opening address which highlighted the work the Commission is undertaking to further its own knowledge base in this area as well as working with other partners to progress the body of available research available to professionals, practitioners and researchers in the field of mortality. 

A key component of the Commission’s work that enables it to fulfil its mandate of improving the safety and wellbeing of Queensland children is its responsibility to establish and maintain the Queensland Child Death Register. The Register contains the details of the deaths of all children and young people in Queensland under 18 years of age.  Being able to access a comprehensive and contemporary data set of this nature is critical to the research and reporting of risk factors that inform the development of strategies to prevent child mortality.  

The Register captures mortality data that translates into effective initiatives in child welfare policy in four ways. These are: providing an annual report to Parliament on the deaths of young people in Queensland; using the evidence base to inform our advocacy on policy and legislative considerations; making data promptly available to recognised stakeholders, and conducting the Commission’s own in-depth research.

Some of the key note speakers at the workshop included professionals who the Commission has frequent contact with in capturing, verifying and tracking mortality data. These included Mr John Lock, Brisbane Coroner and Mr David John, Queensland Registrar General. Dr Hank Weiss, Director of the Injury Research and Prevention Unit, University of Otago, New Zealand was also a key note speaker whose work in mortality research has been invaluable to professionals and practitioners in this area seeking to inform decision making on childhood mortality with a view to identifying systemic trends and developing strategies to prevent and reduce these.

The Commissioner’s speech can be viewed here.

(L-R) Chair of AMDIG Dr James Harrison, Brisbane Coroner John Lock, Commissioner Elizabeth Fraser, Queensland Registrar General David John

Last Updated: November 23, 2011

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