About

History

The Australian Cardiovascular Data Linkage Interest Group was established on 1 January 2026, reflecting the expanded mission of its members to advance linked data research across the entire cardiovascular health spectrum, including stroke and heart disease.  This new group will collaborate with the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance (ACvA) Big Data Flagship, ensuring alignment with national priorities in cardiovascular research and big data innovation.

From 2018 to 2025, the group operated as the National Stroke Data Linkage Interest Group, under the governance of the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR) Steering and Management Committees, driving national initiatives in stroke data linkage.

Our origins trace back to 2012, when the group was formed as part of the pioneering Stroke123 project, led by Professor Dominique Cadilhac. This landmark study delivered Australia’s first cross-jurisdictional linked data project for stroke—a complex, collaborative effort involving multiple partner organisations and setting the foundation for future innovation.

The role of the Australian Cardiovascular Data Linkage Interest Group

Our goals

• Provide Expert Guidance
  Seek input from members and data custodians on best practices for linking cardiovascular patient data from cohort studies, clinical trials, and administrative datasets.
  
  

• Strengthen Collaboration
  Work closely with members to understand data transfer and linkage processes for integrating datasets from external sources, including with registries and government-held datasets.
  
  

• Share Knowledge and Expertise
  Exchange insights on data coding, statistical methods, and techniques for preparing and analysing linked datasets.
  
  

• Drive Research and Funding
  Collaborate on grant applications to access data that informs the full cardiovascular health continuum—from prevention to quality of care and long-term outcomes.
  
  

• Expand Future Opportunities
  Explore new linkage possibilities for stroke and broader cardiovascular disease research.