Academic Research Project | Health Data Platform BC

Health Data Platform BC (HDPBC) is now supporting projects from academic researchers that wish to conduct research using Health data including Health services, social and demographic data. These datasets, many from 1990 and forward include longitudinal, person-specific, de-identified data on BC's residents.

On this page

About HDPBC Program

Data Access Streams (HDPBC, PopData, DIP)

Key Differences (HDPBC vs PopData)

2024-2025 HDPBC Fee Structure

How to Apply

About HDPBC Program

The HDPBC Program in partnership with the health organizations is focused on advancing academic research through expanded access and availability to the data within a single secure platform. Researchers get access to the dataset that is refreshed on a regular basis thus enabling them to define and create their own cohorts and linkages without having to request individual project cuts of data. Additionally, HDPBC program offers a more streamlined and efficient approval process via Health Data Platform council that comprises of members from all the health organizations thus eliminating the need of multiple approvals from individual organizations based on the dataset requested.

While the platform is being enhanced to make more datasets and capabilities available to researchers on a regular basis, below criteria outlines project that qualify for the Health Data Program.

Qualifying criteria for an HDPBC project
The data sets required (health, health services, social and demographics) are all available on the platform. Note: You may also import your own Researcher-collected data and externally managed data sets if approved by the data provider.	Image
Linkage to the following is NOT required: Federal data Cross Ministry data Data exclusively available through PopData	Image
The analytical tools required are available in the HDPBC Secure Environment	Image

Qualifying criteria for an HDPBC project

The data sets required (health, health services, social and demographics) are all available on the platform.

Note: You may also import your own Researcher-collected data and externally managed data sets if approved by the data provider.

Linkage to the following is NOT required:

Federal data
Cross Ministry data
Data exclusively available through PopData

The analytical tools required are available in the HDPBC Secure Environment

Data Access Streams

There are currently three possible streams and depending on what datasets and tools are needed to perform the analysis, researchers will be routed to the stream based on the qualifying criteria of the programs.

Health Data Platform BC (HDPBC)
Population Data BC (PopData)
The Data Innovation Program (DI Program)

To access a full list of datasets available by each of the above options, go to Data Available.

Project Life Cycle

Upon submission of your Data Access Request form, the project begins its lifecycle. The following diagram illustrates the academic research lifecycle stages and key considerations in the HDPBC/PopData BC Program.

For more detailed information about each process stage, please visit the Data Access Process.

All requests that fit Health Data Platform BC (HDPBC) or Population Data BC (PopData) stream will follow the same data access request process, and the PopData Data Access Unit team will support Researchers throughout the process. The main differences between the two streams are:

Differences	HDPBC projects	PopData projects
How are DARs reviewed/adjudicated?	For requests requiring access to data governed by multiple health organizations -  a single review conducted by Health Data Council (comprising of members from participating health organizations). Requests requiring access to Health Information Banks or Pharma data will still be required to go through a second review and approval by the Data Stewardship Committee under the eHealth Act.	For requests requiring access to data governed by multiple health organizations - a review is conducted by each Data Steward governing the data set requested. Requests requiring access to Health Information Banks or Pharma data will require additional review and approval by the Data Stewardship Committee under the eHealth Act.
Where are data provisioned?	The HDPBC Secure Environment (SE) A cloud-based secure environment accessible via two-factor authentication using Microsoft authenticator app with expandable storage capability. Default compute of 16GB RAM with ability to increase as needed. Ability to import public git URLs.	The PopData Secure Research Environment (SRE) A secure private cloud accessible only via an encrypted Virtual Private Network (VPN) through a firewall and use of a YubiKey® for two-factor authentication. For more information, go to: the Secure Research Environment.
How are data provisioned?	Access to relational database in a secure environment. Views to pre-loaded data reducing the need for additional data loading Ability for analysts to create their own cohort or evolve their analysis cohort using all approved data sets Request support to build cohorts via code examples from within the secure environment	Access to flat ASCII in a secure environment. Option to request a custom cohort For Core extracts, the ability for analysts to create their own cohort
What analytical tools are available?	Includes: SQL, SAS, Python, R & Rtools, Data Bricks. Additional support from within the desktop to address any researcher question. For a complete list of the tools and utilities available, go to: Data access and click on What tools are available in each stream for statistical analysis?	Includes: SQL, SAS, Python, R & Rtools, SPSS. For a complete list of the tools and utilities available, go to: Data access and click on What tools are available in each stream for statistical analysis?

Differences

HDPBC projects

PopData projects

How are DARs reviewed/adjudicated?

For requests requiring access to data governed by multiple health organizations -  a single review conducted by Health Data Council (comprising of members from participating health organizations).

Requests requiring access to Health Information Banks or Pharma data will still be required to go through a second review and approval by the Data Stewardship Committee under the eHealth Act.

For requests requiring access to data governed by multiple health organizations - a review is conducted by each Data Steward governing the data set requested.

Requests requiring access to Health Information Banks or Pharma data will require additional review and approval by the Data Stewardship Committee under the eHealth Act.

Where are data provisioned?

The HDPBC Secure Environment (SE)

A cloud-based secure environment accessible via two-factor authentication using Microsoft authenticator app with expandable storage capability.

Default compute of 16GB RAM with ability to increase as needed.
Ability to import public git URLs.

The PopData Secure Research Environment (SRE)

A secure private cloud accessible only via an encrypted Virtual Private Network (VPN) through a firewall and use of a YubiKey® for two-factor authentication.

For more information, go to: the Secure Research Environment.

How are data provisioned?

Access to relational database in a secure environment.

Views to pre-loaded data reducing the need for additional data loading
Ability for analysts to create their own cohort or evolve their analysis cohort using all approved data sets
Request support to build cohorts via code examples from within the secure environment

Access to flat ASCII in a secure environment.

Option to request a custom cohort
For Core extracts, the ability for analysts to create their own cohort

What analytical tools are available?

Includes: SQL, SAS, Python, R & Rtools, Data Bricks.

Additional support from within the desktop to address any researcher question.

For a complete list of the tools and utilities available, go to: Data access and click on What tools are available in each stream for statistical analysis?

Includes: SQL, SAS, Python, R & Rtools, SPSS.

For a complete list of the tools and utilities available, go to: Data access and click on What tools are available in each stream for statistical analysis?

2024 - 2025 HDPBC Fee Structure

Service	Description	Cost per unit plus 5% GST
Base project fee	All projects are subject to base project fee which includes the following services: Access to all datasets available in the HDPBC platform for up to 3 users (ONLY includes pre-approved years of historic data) 500GB data storage with 16GB RAM Annual data update for HDPBC data or BYOD data Access for up to 2 SAS licenses Provision for team member replacement Access to various analytics tools including SAS as well as services such as: BYOD, Direct & Probabilistic Linkage, Application Review, Output checking	$12,600
Adding historical years of data	Beyond the default years of data available for datasets	$1000
Adding storage/data limit	Request to increase data limit available in 500MB increments	Upon Request
Adding additional compute	32GB RAM	Upon Request
Project amendments	Change to study or design post approval Add new data to the project post approval	$1700 $200
Amendments - adding more users	Request more project team members above the initial limit of 3 users per project	$325

Student Cost Waiver Policy is applicable for student requests to access data for academic purposes. For more information about access and related fees, please visit Data Access for Students.

How to Apply

Visit PopDataBC website to learn more about the process and how to submit your application.