Table 4.

Linked data sources and associated measurements and records of interest.

Data Sources and Linking Method	Measurement(s) of Interest
National Minimum Dataset (NMDS) held by the NZ Ministry of Health, linked via NHI	Previous hospitalisations (dates, diagnostic codes) total and for infectious diseases (respiratory, skin)
Maternity Collections held by the NZ Ministry of Health, linked via NHI	Early life exposures, e.g., Low birth weight, pre-term delivery, Apgar score
Clinical data held by DHBs on ARF cases, linked via NHI	Clinical information for case review (clinical record, laboratory results, cardiac ultrasound) Height, weight and BMI
Dental records held by DHBs and other service providers, linked via name	Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (dmft/DMFT) scores obtained from dental service providers
Housing records from a national housing and valuation database, linked via address	Age and floor area of the house
Census data and NZDep, linked via home address	NZDep of home meshblock, Population and density of home meshblock
NZ Ministry of Education schools data, linked via school name	School size
Record of schools participating in RFPP held by NZ Ministry of Health, linked via school name	Attendance at a school that provided a school-based throat swabbing programme at the time of illness or interview
Controls	Date recruited and interviewed for NZHS Height, weight, BMI