Database Core

The " Population-Based Cancer Treatment and Outcome Databases” core is directed by Elizabeth Chrischilles, PhD, UI professor of epidemiology and clinical and administrative pharmacy. Core facilities are located within the Health Effectiveness Research Center (HERCe) www.public-health.uiowa.edu/herce . Center space on the 2nd floor of Westlawn includes staff offices, meeting areas, and resources for data collection, storage and analyses.

The "Database Core" provides the infrastructure and expertise necessary to conduct state-of-the art cancer control research relevant to the elderly, including studies that address issues such as disparities in health care for the aged, cost of cancer treatment, and the influence of pre-existing co-morbidities on treatment decisions and outcome. Administrative claims databases, cancer registry databases, and longitudinal survey databases afford a rich data source for such research.

Data holdings available to CAP investigators include multiple years of:
-- Iowa Medicaid claims data,
-- Iowa Medicare claims data,
-- SEER-Medicare linked databases,
-- Healthcare Cost and Utilization (HCUP) Project’s State Inpatient Data,
-- and the Area Resource File.

These data and associated database management and analytic techniques are inherently complex. Database documentation, data dictionaries, variable creation instructions, and data management and analysis programs are maintained for use across projects. Computer workstations capable of analyzing these large databases are available and maintained for affiliated faculty, staff and CAP investigators.

A wide variety of software packages and analytical methodologies are also available and supported. In addition, the Westlawn facility includes a data security room with workstations for use with confidential data and storage for original data tapes and back up media.

For more information about this Core and its services contact:
Kara Wright, Senior Research Assistant-Social Science, by e-mail kara-wright@uiowa.edu or by telephone at 335-9828.

Previous Events

• National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS): Trends in Health and Aging Data Archive Seminars and Workshop, April 23-24, 2007
  Speakers: Harold R. Lentzner, PhD and Elsie R. Pamuk, PhD. Click here for the NCHS Link

Click on links below for additional information

1) Lecture: Monday, April 23, 2007, 9:00 to 10:30 AM - 2117 MERF
Charting Trends in Population Health: An Introduction to the NCHS Trends in Health and Aging Data Archive

2) Lecture & Discussion: Monday, April 23, 2007, 2:00 to 3:30 PM - E 331 GH
An Overview and Discussion of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Data Resources

3) Workshop in Computer Lab: Tuesday, April 24th, 2007, 9:00 to 11:00 AM, Information Commons East, Hardin Library
Workshop: How to Use the Trends in Health and Aging Data Archive
[Pre-registration is required to attend the workshop (no fee), see flyer.]

• Instrumental Variable Estimation Workshop

John Brooks, PhD, Associate professorin the Program in Pharmaceutical Socioeconomics in the College of Pharmacy and in the Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health presented a methods workshop September 30, 2005 from 1:00 -3:00 pm. Dr. Brooks is a health economist interested in applying econometric methods to assess healthcare treatment effectiveness in practice. His presentation, “Estimating Treatment Effects with Observational Data using Instrumental Variable Estimation: The Extent of Inference ” is also offered as a methods workshop at the annual meetings of AcademyHealth.

This workshop was sponsored by the Cancer and Aging Program’s Database Core within the Health Effectiveness Research Center (HERCe) and the Department of Epidemiology.

For additional information please contact Barbara Reasner, secretary, at 335-6576 or barbara-reasner@uiowa.edu or Dr. Margaret Voelker, Assistant Research Scientist, by e-mail margaret-voelker@uiowa.edu or by telephone at 335-9751.

• Comorbidity Methods Workshop Held November 17, 2004

Elizabeth A. Chrischilles, PhD and John M. Brooks, PhD, along with staff of the Cancer and Aging Program’s (CAP) Database Core, presented a workshop addressing the Comorbidity thematic area. The workshop brought together researchers from across campus to discuss the measurement of comorbidity, specifically as it relates to investigations of aging and cancer using existing retrospective data sources (large administrative databases and medical records). The half-day workshop was held the morning of November 17, 2004 in Room 1117 MERF.

For additional information please contact Barbara Reasner, secretary, at 335-6576 or barbara-reasner@uiowa.edu or Dr. Margaret Voelker, Assistant Research Scientist, by e-mail margaret-voelker@uiowa.edu or by telephone at 335-9751.