News and success stories from the Data Innovation Program
Last updated on November 27, 2024Learn about the work the Data Innovation Program is doing through news and journal articles, reports and webinars.
COVID-19 and the Mental Health of Adolescents in British Columbia (2023)
This publication in Canadian Public Policy examines how COVID-19 reshaped mental health treatment needs among adolescents in British Columbia. As part of a Data Innovation Program project between the Ministry of Education and Simon Fraser University, researchers analyzed linked data from school enrollment, physician services, and prescription records from 2016 to 2022. Findings reveal a significant increase in treatments for adolescent girls, particularly for depression, anxiety, ADHD, and eating disorders, while treatment rates for boys remained stable or declined, with a marked drop in treatments for substance use disorders. The study underscores the pandemic's unequal mental health impact on youth and highlights the need for targeted, data-informed support across the province.
A Scientific Approach to Addressing Social Issues Using Administrative Data (2023)
An article published in Canadian Public Policy highlights the program as a solution to longstanding policy challenges faced by the province. The article explores the power of administrative data in addressing complex social issues. It shares the role of British Columbia's Data Innovation Program in facilitating access to crucial data for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry for Social Development and Poverty Reduction. This access was instrumental in devising strategies to enhance high school graduation rates—a goal previously hampered by bureaucratic barriers and inter-ministerial silos.
Data Project Uses Innovative Approach to Understand Homelessness (2022)
The Preventing and Reducing Homelessness Integrated Data Project aimed to better understand, respond to, and prevent homelessness in B.C. using de-identified provincial administrative data to get a more complete picture of who is experiencing homelessness. By integrating data across various government sectors through the BC Data Innovation Program, the project offers unparalleled insights into the patterns and precursors of homelessness, laying the groundwork for more effective, targeted interventions. Find more information about the 2019 Homeless Cohort Report.
Navigating Complexity: Policy Making for an Evolving World (2022)
The 2022 report from the Canadian Standards Association features the Data Innovation Program as a key example of how data-driven initiatives are shaping public policy in today's rapidly changing technological landscape. This insightful analysis delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by digital transformation and highlights the critical role of data innovation in developing effective and adaptable policies.
Introduction to the Data Innovation Program for Academic Researchers (2021)
This webinar provides an overview of the Data Innovation Program and the partnership with Population Data BC, outline the data available and the access process.