Sharing the power of data at TEDx Perth

Dr Hannah Moore was one of WA’s brightest minds chosen to speak at TEDX Perth in November last year, presenting her insights into the power of data in fighting infectious diseases to a sold-out crowd.

Co-Head of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology for the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Dr Moore was one of just 17 speakers from throughout the state to present at this popular event.

TED is a not-for-profit devoted to bringing ideas worth spreading into the spotlight, and the event held in Perth aims to be a beacon for all that is remarkable, challenging and thought-provoking, celebrating the intellectual ambition and culture of Western Australia.

As an epidemiologist specialising in infectious disease, Dr Moore spoke on the collection of data and its unmatched power in providing the answers we need to keep kids out of hospital.

In her 13-minute presentation, Dr Moore discusses how meaningful data is collected from the minute each baby is born, including when their vaccinations take place, visits to health services and any diagnosed illnesses.

“The true power of this data comes when the information is joined together - looking at every birth across the whole population,” said Dr Moore. 

“These joined-up data can then start to tell us a story – and provide us with a roadmap for the patterns, determinants and consequences of poor health. This can then be explored using rigorous science, generating and answering new questions.

“This information can be used to recommend, advocate, and most importantly, evaluate, health prevention policy. We need to use these joined-up data across multiple streams of information together to discover the need for new health prevention policies, and improve the existing ones,” concluded Dr Moore.

Using data collected from almost 2 million births around Australia, Dr Moore explained how she has been able to find out what happens when children aren’t vaccinated on time, as well as which groups of children are most at risk of missing out on their vaccinations.

With a strong focus on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), one of the most common viruses that affects the lungs of babies and young children, Dr Moore’s work in this field has helped estimate the burden, risk factors and seasonal patterns in different populations – knowledge that can then be used as evidence for the need for an RSV vaccination program.

Dr Moore’s TEDx Perth presentation is now live on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel – click here to view and learn more about the vast number of health questions being answered thanks to the power of data.