Presentation description

The Utah Population Database (UPDB) is a person-centered longitudinal dataset including
demographic, familial, and medical information for over 11 million individuals with
documented activity in Utah. Originally founded on records such as birth and death
certificates, the UPDB has now expanded to incorporate hospital and other health-related
encounters which helps for population-based research. This project utilizes the UPDB to
examine intergenerational changes in family structure specifically focusing on identifying
families spanning at least three generations within 10-year birth cohorts. The project aims
to determine whether there is a definable breakpoint between historical and modern eras
in the dataset and how that transition affects evolving family dynamics. It also explores
how family structure varies across time and race, which leads to a deeper understanding
of demographic shifts within the state. To do this, the project involves creating queries,
algorithms, and datasets within UPDB to identify families who meet the criteria for
answering these specific research questions.