Data sets available

Below is a list of the data sets readily available to researchers through Population Data BC.

These data sets are linkable to each other and to other data sets (including researcher-collected data) if approved by the data provider.

Spatial data may also be used in conjunction with data sets managed by Population Data BC.

Most data sets are incorporated into our holdings throughout the year. We generally receive data refreshes between four to ten months after the end of the calendar or fiscal year. It can then take up to three months to validate, link and document the data before they are ready for research use.

PharmaNet and National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS) data are pulled directly from the BC Ministry of Health HealthIdeas database for approved projects.

There are some data now available for COVID-19 research only. For information on these, go to: www.popdata.bc.ca/COVID-19_research_support

CHILD DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION

Early Development Instrument
Data source: Human Early Learning Partnership
Date range: 1999 onward

Middle Years Development Instrument
Data source: Human Early Learning Partnership
Date range: 2010 onward

Ministry of Education
Data source: BC Ministry of Education
Date range: September 1, 1991 onward

DEMOGRAPHICS & LIFE COURSE 

BC Generations Project
Data source: BC Cancer
Date range: Data collection started in 2009 and is continuing

Permanent Residents
Data source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Date range: 1985 onward

Income Band
Data source: Statistics Canada
Date range: 1992, 2002, 2006

ENVIRONMENTAL

Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE)
Data source: various
Date range: 1984 to 2016

 

 

HEALTH CARE & HEALTH SERVICES

BC Cancer Registry
Data source: BC Cancer
Date range: January 1, 1985

BC Perinatal Data Registry
Data source: Perinatal Services BC
Date range: April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2014

Discharge Abstract Database (Hospital Separations)
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: April 1, 1985 onward

Home and Community Care (Continuing Care)
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: January 1, 1990 onward

Medical Services Plan Payment Information (MSP)
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: April 1, 1981 onward

Mental Health
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: April 1, 1986 onward

National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS)
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: 2012/13 onward

Patient Centered Measurement

• Acute Inpatient 2016/2017 Survey
  Data source: Various
  Date range: September 1, 2016 to March 1st, 2017
• Emergency Department 2018 Survey
  Data source: Various
  Date range: January 1st to March 31st, 2018
• Long Term Care Survey 2016/2017
  Data source: Various
  Date range: September 1, 2016 - March 31st 2017

PharmaCare
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: January 1, 1985 to December, 2017

PharmaNet
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range:  January 1, 1996 onward

 

OCCUPATIONAL 

WorkSafeBC Claims. Injury and Firm Level files
Data source: WorkSafeBC
Date range: January 1, 1981 onward*

* historical data is available for selected fields (some data dates as far back as 1916)

POPULATION & VITAL STATISTICS 

Consolidation file (MSP & Premium Billing)
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: January 1, 1986 onward

Vital Events Births
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: January 1, 1985 onward

Vital Events Stillbirths
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: January 1, 1985 onward

Vital Events Marriages
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: January 1, 1985 onward

Vital Events Deaths
Data source: BC Ministry of Health
Date range: January 1, 1985 onward