The potential of maternal and child health service data in Australia: how lessons from the COVID‐19 pandemic can accelerate data‐informed decision making

• DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52630
• Publication Date: 2025-03-17T00:48:47Z
• Authors: Ashleigh Shipton; Meredith O'Connor; Melissa Wake; Sharon Goldfeld; Helen Lees; Catina Adams; Kristina Edvardsson; Leesa Hooker; Jatender Mohal; Rhiannon M Pilkin...; Fiona K Mensah
• Keywords: Pandemic; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Child Health

To enable proactive decisions that promote a healthy start to life, our understanding of children's health and development at population level is only as good the data we collect analyse.1 A decade ago, Olver called for improved access capacity link in Australian context, voiced Medical Journal Australia.2 In intervening years, there have been varying rates progress across states territories. Victoria's routinely collected statewide documenting from pregnancy school entry, maternal child (MCH) service dataset, most comprehensive nationally with highest uptake, yet remains unlinked key determinants longitudinal cohorts.3 The time address this now given increasing policy interest first 2000 days (conception five years age) demonstrated by national Early Years Strategy 2024–2034 $14 billion rollout Best Start, Life reforms.4-6 Untapped are an urgent public concern real-world implications, notably unmet need timely monitoring reporting developmental outcomes children born during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.7 Before next pandemic, window opportunity improve administrative availability linkage. perspective article, call collaborative action relevant advisers, parliamentarians, academics, providers, early educators care providers. We focus on Victoria one promising opportunities rapid improvement. Specifically, (i) consider why essential; (ii) overview gaps state-based MCH fill amidst existing Commonwealth state or territory assets; (iii) reflect lessons COVID-19 pandemic; (iv) recommend essential steps drive Victorian linkage informing future decisions, delivery program evaluation. critical period brain more than million neural connections formed each second.5 Children's highly susceptible social health, interplay modifiable societal environmental factors such accessibility care, adequacy household incomes quality education care.8 When disrupted, these become major drivers prevalent problems avoidable inequities facing children, including readiness school, obesity mental ill health.8-10 It widely understood investment results high rate return reduction lifetime risk chronic associated economic impacts.10, 11 Data therefore vital based population's needs. dataset value asset. As shown Box 1, it wellbeing parents milestones (preceding entry). All other available datasets document interactions systems flow needs, thus mainly reflecting ill-health concerns. free, universal provides promotion intervention families years.3 recent annual report (2017–2018) estimates close full coverage home consultation retention (over 80% 12 months, over 60% 3.5 years).12 According 2013 survey, leads compared territories, although no database exists contemporaneous comparisons Australia.3 territories units, being achieved South Australia, Tasmania, New Wales Western Australia.13-16 Given collected, linking cohorts (Box 1) would create powerful resource policy. Emerging databases currently lack data, Development Census, Child Youth Wellbeing Atlas, National Disability Asset Asset. Linking into be important step towards complete integration linked childhood datasets. This support effectiveness Australia new harmonise optimise provision outcome nationally. pandemic highlighted provide outcomes.7 Victoria, faced substantial immediate transformation Melbourne becoming locked down cities world.17 addition, childcare services closed families, postnatal reduced visits infants aged eight weeks, shifting telehealth shortening any remaining face-to-face appointments under 15 minutes.18 Four after onset face research questions (see 2) about short long term repercussions generation. Although few local cohort studies used hospital sick-child pandemic,19 gap population-wide well-child language development, body mass index infant nutrition. Making could answering proposed 2, focusing evidence inform strategies minimising adverse implications generation preparing us crises. accepted prevention life lifelong benefits development. has vast repositories guide efforts; however, days, determinant cohorts. missed accessible proactively monitor Pandemic responses how collectively can rapidly, ambitiously shift betterment community, longer asking "what done?", but should done?". Achieving potential done, political opportunity, fulfil responsibilities both communities, whom children. Open publishing facilitated University Melbourne, part Wiley - agreement via Council Librarians. article was written Ashleigh Shipton's PhD project "The effect policies Health region Victoria: mixed methods study" funded Royal Australasian College Physicians Murdoch Research Institute. Hospital Human Ethics Committee approved above (reference number: 87751). Melissa Wake (NHMRC) Principal Fellowship 1160906. Sharon Goldfeld NHMRC Practitioner 2026263. Shipton, Meredith O'Connor, Wake, Goldfeld, Jatender Mohal Fiona Mensah's Institute supported Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program. Rhiannon Pilkington CTCS (1187489). Leesa Hooker, Kristina Edvardsson, Helen Lees Catina Adam's in-kind their teaching La Trobe University. receives Municipal Association lead. Authors acknowledge salary projects unrelated present manuscript were received funding bodies NHMRC, Future Fund, Paul Ramsay Foundation, State Government Government, right@home implementation licence, Organisation Women's Safety, Department Social Services, Family Safety Channel 7 Uniting Communities, Junction Commissioner Aboriginal Children Young People. payment honoraria lectures, presentations peer review. had role planning writing article. funders planning, publication Not commissioned; externally reviewed.