scholarly journals An Empirical Study of Applying Statistical Disclosure Control Methods to Public Health Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4519
Author(s):  
Amanda M. Y. Chu ◽  
Benson S. Y. Lam ◽  
Agnes Tiwari ◽  
Mike K. P. So
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Statistical Disclosure Control ◽  
Data Perturbation ◽  
Disclosure Control ◽  
Statistical Disclosure

Patient data or information collected from public health and health care surveys are of great research value. Usually, the data contain sensitive personal information. Doctors, nurses, or researchers in the public health and health care sector do not analyze the available datasets or survey data on their own, and may outsource the tasks to third parties. Even though all identifiers such as names and ID card numbers are removed, there may still be some occasions in which an individual can be re-identified via the demographic or particular information provided in the datasets. Such data privacy issues can become an obstacle in health-related research. Statistical disclosure control (SDC) is a useful technique used to resolve this problem by masking and designing released data based on the original data. Whilst ensuring the released data can satisfy the needs of researchers for data analysis, there is high protection of the original data from disclosure. In this research, we discuss the statistical properties of two SDC methods: the General Additive Data Perturbation (GADP) method and the Gaussian Copula General Additive Data Perturbation (CGADP) method. An empirical study is provided to demonstrate how we can apply these two SDC methods in public health research.

scholarly journals Reproducible Research: A Retrospective

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger D. Peng ◽  
Stephanie C. Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Scientific Discovery ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Reproducible Research ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date

Advances in computing technology have spurred two extraordinary phenomena in science: large-scale and high-throughput data collection coupled with the creation and implementation of complex statistical algorithms for data analysis. These two phenomena have brought about tremendous advances in scientific discovery but have raised two serious concerns. The complexity of modern data analyses raises questions about the reproducibility of the analyses, meaning the ability of independent analysts to recreate the results claimed by the original authors using the original data and analysis techniques. Reproducibility is typically thwarted by a lack of availability of the original data and computer code. A more general concern is the replicability of scientific findings, which concerns the frequency with which scientific claims are confirmed by completely independent investigations. Although reproducibility and replicability are related, they focus on different aspects of scientific progress. In this review, we discuss the origins of reproducible research, characterize the current status of reproducibility in public health research, and connect reproducibility to current concerns about replicability of scientific findings. Finally, we describe a path forward for improving both the reproducibility and replicability of public health research in the future. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 42 is April 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Information loss resulting from statistical disclosure control of output data

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 7-27
Author(s):  
Andrzej Młodak
Keyword(s):  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Information Loss ◽  
Sensitive Information ◽  
Statistical Disclosure Control ◽  
Output Data ◽  
Specific Data ◽  
Disclosure Control ◽  
Statistical Disclosure

The most important methods of assessing information loss caused by statistical disclosure control (SDC) are presented in the paper. The aim of SDC is to protect an individual against identification or obtaining any sensitive information relating to them by anyone unauthorised. The application of methods based either on the concealment of specific data or on their perturbation results in information loss, which affects the quality of output data, including the distributions of variables, the forms of relationships between them, or any estimations. The aim of this paper is to perform a critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the particular types of methods of assessing information loss resulting from SDC. Moreover, some novel ideas on how to obtain effective and well-interpretable measures are proposed, including an innovative way of using a cyclometric function (arcus tangent) to determine the deviation of values from the original ones, as a result of SDC. Additionally, the inverse correlation matrix was applied in order to assess the influence of SDC on the strength of relationships between variables. The first presented method allows obtaining effective and well- -interpretable measures, while the other makes it possible to fully use the potential of the mutual relationships between variables (including the ones difficult to detect by means of classical statistical methods) for a better analysis of the consequences of SDC. Among other findings, the empirical verification of the utility of the suggested methods confirmed the superiority of the cyclometric function in measuring the distance between the curved deviations and the original data, and also heighlighted the need for a skilful correction of its flattening when large value arguments occur.

ON THE SECURITY OF MICROAGGREGATION WITH INDIVIDUAL RANKING: ANALYTICAL ATTACKS

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (05) ◽  
pp. 477-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOSEP DOMINGO-FERRER ◽  
ANNA OGANIAN ◽  
ÀNGEL TORRES ◽  
JOSEP M. MATEO-SANZ
Keyword(s):  
Original Data ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Statistical Disclosure Control ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Disclosure Control ◽  
Individual Ranking ◽  
Statistical Disclosure ◽  
Size Groups ◽  
Usual Criterion ◽  
Individual Information

Microaggregation is a statistical disclosure control technique. Raw microdata (i.e. individual records) are grouped into small aggregates prior to publication. With fixed-size groups, each aggregate contains k records to prevent disclosure of individual information. Individual ranking is a usual criterion to reduce multivariate microaggregation to univariate case: the idea is to perform microaggregation independently for each variable in the record. Using distributional assumptions, we show in this paper how to find interval estimates for the original data based on the microaggregated data. Such intervals can be considerably narrower than intervals resulting from subtraction of means, and can be useful to detect lack of security in a microaggregated data set. Analytical arguments given in this paper confirm recent empirical results about the unsafety of individual ranking microaggregation.

scholarly journals Workshop: Bridging the health divide across the Mediterranean: an agenda for public health research and polic

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Joint Actions ◽  
European Public ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract Objectives Develop 3-4 areas for intensified collaboration The Mediterranean region has a rich history and is home to some of the earliest civilisations. Today, the Mediterranean is often in the news as a result of tragic events and unrest including conflict and loss of lives at sea. Political meetings such as the South EU summit of Southern European leaders and the 5 + 5 EuroMed are useful events to highlight the priority policy issues of this region. Yet, health has rarely been at the forefront of the political agenda for the Mediterranean. The migrant crisis comes as a timely reminder that there exists a full continent on the other side of this sea and border countries from Africa, themselves in active processes of reform and change, should be seen as neighbours with whom the European public health community needs to collaborate. The purpose of this workshop is to shine a light on the health divide across the Mediterranean, to highlight key epidemiological, health systems and global health governance issues of priority to the region. It aims to stimulate an initial discussion for a public health research and policy focus on the Mediterranean region which could eventually lead to a call for action and a programme of activities at international level. Our neighbours share with us several public health challenges, from financing of health systems, epidemiological transition toward NCD diseases, environment and life style risks, human resources for health challenges and migrant issues from other parts of the continent. Marseille, as the conference location, provides a unique opportunity to debate and exchange with the three Maghreb countries facing the southern border of Europe. Key messages Maghreb health systems are in transition, all three rather different, but rather close to some European and EU health systems regarding financing, priorities, social and regional inequalities in access to health services, aging and NCD growth pressure. How can they become a part and contribute to the very active European Public Health analysis and benchmarks on optimizing health systems performance? Part of the health crisis regarding migrants in Europe is also an issue for health care systems in Maghreb countries. Are there ways to collaborate, to implement real collaborative and joint actions? Maghreb countries face a very specific crisis because of European policies of attracting health professionals: the brain drain is a significant issue, endangering the capacity of the Maghreb health systems. Do we foresee solutions to it? Maghreb countries face the same transition as Europe toward chronic diseases’ increased burden due to global changes in lifestyles and exposure to globalized health risks, But also thanks to improved health care and longer life expectancies. Fighting an increase in some risk factors can only be global or regional, with joint actions in need of forgetting the presence of the sea. Chronic disease is also an issue for international organizations: for example, such discussion could bring the three WHO regional officers involved around the Mediterranean Sea closer.

scholarly journals Workshop: Active participation of migrants, refugees, and ethnic minorities in public health research

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Migrant Health ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Active Participation ◽  
Refugee Health ◽  
Participatory Approaches

Abstract To introduce the relevance, benefits and challenges of participatory approaches in public health research addressing issues of migrant and refugee health. Participation of stakeholders has a long tradition in fields of public health research, in particular in community-based research and health promotion. Today, increasing demands of grant agencies and policymakers in Europe challenge researchers to include stakeholders in all processes of health research. Active participation of migrants and refugees poses complex challenges for public health research including but, going beyond language problems and risks of stereotyping. The specific objectives of this workshop are: (1) to introduce current approaches for participation and their adaptability for the context of health research with migrants and refugees, (2) to explore participation in three projects that deal with issues like improving quality health care among chronically ill women with immigration background, introducing a health mediator model for refugees as well as ethical issues in participatory research with refugees and ethnic minority groups and (3) to discuss benefits and challenges of participatory approaches intended to improve health and health care services of specific groups. The workshop will start with an introduction providing a short overview of definitions and key concepts. Substantive presentations showcase three participatory projects in migrant health. A panel discussion, led by experienced moderators, with Prof Thomas Abel (PI of the MIWOCA project presented), Prof Antonio Chiarenza (WHO-HPH Task Force on Migration, Equity & Diversity, member of the Steering Committee of the EUPHA section on Migrant Health), Prof Luis Saboga-Nunes (EUPHA health promotion section) and Prof Sibel Sakarya (Department of Public Health Koç University) will address benefits and challenges of participation in migrant and refugee health research. The panel will open into a discussion to integrate audience’s experience and questions on participatory research. The workshop will be closed by the chair’s summary of lessons learnt and perspectives for future directions. Key messages Public health research for and with migrants and refugees poses basic and specific challenges. Experience with PR demonstrates the benefits of migrants’ and refugees’ active participation and the importance of adequate contextualizing of the problems and potential solutions.

scholarly journals Utilizing asynchronous email interviews for health research: overview of benefits and drawbacks

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Amri ◽  
Christina Angelakis ◽  
Dilani Logan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Data Quality ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Data Accuracy ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Face To Face

Abstract Objective Through collating observations from various studies and complementing these findings with one author’s study, a detailed overview of the benefits and drawbacks of asynchronous email interviewing is provided. Through this overview, it is evident there is great potential for asynchronous email interviews in the broad field of health, particularly for studies drawing on expertise from participants in academia or professional settings, those across varied geographical settings (i.e. potential for global public health research), and/or in circumstances when face-to-face interactions are not possible (e.g. COVID-19). Results Benefits of asynchronous email interviewing and additional considerations for researchers are discussed around: (i) access transcending geographic location and during restricted face-to-face communications; (ii) feasibility and cost; (iii) sampling and inclusion of diverse participants; (iv) facilitating snowball sampling and increased transparency; (v) data collection with working professionals; (vi) anonymity; (vii) verification of participants; (viii) data quality and enhanced data accuracy; and (ix) overcoming language barriers. Similarly, potential drawbacks of asynchronous email interviews are also discussed with suggested remedies, which centre around: (i) time; (ii) participant verification and confidentiality; (iii) technology and sampling concerns; (iv) data quality and availability; and (v) need for enhanced clarity and precision.

scholarly journals Reporting the methods used in public health research and practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 89-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna F. Stroup ◽  
C. Kay Smith ◽  
Benedict I. Truman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Research And Practice
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