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GenV States the Case for Linking Victoria’s MCH Data 

A recent Medical Journal of Australia article (April 2025) highlights the untapped potential of Victoria’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service data. Despite being the most comprehensive early childhood dataset nationally, it remains unlinked to key health, social, and longitudinal data assets – so mothers and children miss out on the benefits of their data.

Drawing lessons from COVID-19, the GenV authors, led by Dr Ashleigh Shipton, call for urgent data integration to better monitor child wellbeing, inform early intervention policy, and prepare for future crises. With national momentum (e.g. Early Years Strategy 2024–2034, Best Start, Best Life reforms), the time is now to unlock this valuable resource for more coordinated, data-informed decision making.

Read the article here.

Michelle Barnett
Article by Michelle Barnett