Exploring factors impacting early childhood health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities: Protocol for a population-based cohort study using data linkage (the 'Defying the Odds' study)

Abstract

Introduction Empirical evidence on family and community risk and protective factors influencing the comparatively high rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations and deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and children is limited. As is evidence on geographical variation in these risks. The 'Defying the Odds' study aims to explore the impact of perinatal outcomes, maternal social and health outcomes and level of culturally secure service availability on the health outcomes of Western Australian (WA) Aboriginal infants and children aged 0-5 years. Methods and analysis The study combines a retrospective cohort study that uses state-wide linked health and administrativ..