Welcome to the NILS-RSU website which provides information and advice for potential and existing academic and government users of the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS) and Northern Ireland Mortality Study (NIMS) databases. The function of the unit is to provide assistance to researchers in accessing and utilising both studies.

The NILS is a large-scale record linkage study of approximately 500,000 people (a representative c. 28% sample of the Northern Ireland population) that has been created by linking statistical and administrative data sources within Northern Ireland. These data include the 2001 Census returns, demographic and migration events and vital events (births, deaths and marriages).

The NIMS is an additional major record linkage study that links the 2001 Census returns for the whole of the enumerated population (approximately 1.6 million individuals) to subsequently registered mortality data. The NIMS is recommended for researchers or analysts whose primary interest is in mortality-related research as it allows focus on more detailed analyses the causes of death of specific sub-populations. 

The NILS and the NIMS have been available since 2006 and are innovative research resources which allow for the exploration of health and socio-demographic characteristics and, as such, can be used to provide an insight into the status of the Northern Ireland population.The NILS is funded by the Health and Social Care Research and Development Division of the Public Health Agency (HSC R&D Division) and NISRA. The NILS-RSU is funded by ESRC Census Programme and the Northern Ireland Government. 

For detailed information on the NILS / NIMS data please see the 'NILS Cohort Profile' and 'Introduction to the NILS'.

The latest edition of the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study 'NILS News' was released in November 2012.

The NILS Research Forum Programme was established to increase understanding of the potential of the NILS and NIMS resources and to facilitate increased understanding of their composition and functions. The Outline Programme for 2011-2012 can be accessed here.

Recent projects approved by the Research Approvals Group:

Project 059:  The Dynamics of Cultural Integration – A Longitudinal Case Study on the Fertility and demand for maternity services of the two Communities in Northern Ireland using NILS. Further details

Project 058:  Evaluating current area level indicators for measuring disadvantage. Further details

Project 055:  Long-term illness, poor health and housing (im)mobility. Further details 

Project 054:  Current religious status and impacts on overall self-reported health, mortality risk and variations in cause-specific mortality: a comparison study between individuals with an existing affiliation to a religious denomination and those without. Further details

Project 053:  Vital Events Standard Outputs: Using the NILS and the NIMS to Produce Annual Standard Outputs of Births & Deaths by Demographic, Socio-Economic and Area Characteristics  Further Details

Project 052:  Exploring the relationship between deprivation measured at individual, household and area level and cancer incidence and survival in Northern Ireland: An exemplar linkage study using the NILS and NICR databases?  Further Details

Project 051: How accurate and timely are health registrations address data? An assessment using the NILS Further Details

Project 050: Forecasting Fertility in Northern Ireland using a Time Varying Coefficients Model Further Details

Project 049: Prevalence and patterns of antidepressant use among women of reproductive age in Northern Ireland. Further details

Website enquiries can be made to nils-rsu@qub.ac.uk