Is the linkage of census and health data justified? Views from a public panel of the Scottish Health and Ethnicity Linkage study.

Background: Using routine health data for research aimed at improving health requires the public's awareness and trust. The Scottish Health and Ethnicity Linkage study explores variations in health between ethnic groups. We aimed to establish a public panel to obtain their views on its methods, findings and dissemination, including use of routine health data without individual opt-in consent.