Federated data: Rethinking health data management in Canadian public health
What if Canada had a federated data system where data stayed within its jurisdiction, securely protected, yet accessible to those who need it—from health care providers to researchers—all while upholding Indigenous data sovereignty? This pivotal question was at the heart of Chris Allison’s presentation at HDRN Canada’s Discussion Sessions, where he outlined his vision for radically transforming how health data are managed across the country.
Chris Allison is the former Chief Data Officer for the Public Health Agency of Canada, now serving as Director General, Data Analytics & Information Management at the Department of National Defence. He mapped out his rationale for shifting away from traditional data sharing methods to a controlled, access-based model. “Stop sharing data. Instead, think about enabling access,” Allison proposed, emphasizing a strategy that manages data to maximize both utility and accessibility without locking it down.
Imagine the possibilities when we care about aggregates, when we care about population trends. This can be extraordinarily powerful. ~ Chris Allison
According to Allison, current systems often trap data within organizational or jurisdictional boundaries, hampering quick access, particularly in emergencies. “It’s challenging to move data between jurisdictions—sometimes within different parts of the same organization,” he noted, emphasizing the need for seamless yet secure data flow.
In a federated system, data would remain under the jurisdiction’s control but be accessible across provincial and organizational lines under strict governance, Allison explained. Such a system would ensure that everyone from doctors and nurses at the point of care to researchers analyzing population health trends can gain prompt and secure access. “Imagine the possibilities when we care about aggregates, when we care about population trends. This can be extraordinarily powerful.”
Addressing the barriers to data sharing, Allison pointed out that the challenges aren’t necessarily about sharing data, but how we design our data systems. “A lot of the things that are currently stopping us from sharing or providing access to data aren’t necessarily issues, depending on how we architect our data systems,” he explained, suggesting that with the right design, data systems can provide secure access without the risks traditionally associated with data transfer.
Moving toward a federated data system involves redesigning how data are accessed and shared. Allison argued for architectural changes that support secure access methods while reducing unnecessary costs and complexities. “We often set up boundaries that inhibit sharing. Then that becomes extra costs or extra development time,” he pointed out.
Allison also discussed the broader implications of current data practices, which he considers inadequate. “All of these siloed systems create massive problems for us in actually delivering the integrated care that people need,” he said, adding that better planning and management of data architectures could lead to improved health outcomes and more efficient public health responses.”This approach promises a more connected, efficient, and responsive health care system, where data not only serve to protect health but also to enhance it, facilitating better governance and care across all levels.”
To learn more, watch Chris Allison’s HDRN Canada Discussion Session, Applications of Federated Data Architecture in Canadian Public Health.