Att jämföra dödsorsaksstatistik – nordiskt och internationellt

Abstract

Comparing data on causes of death between countries is often problematic due to differences in collection, reporting, classification, and publication. Internationally, the WHO and other actors have long coordinated the collection and processing of this data, and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) has since 1948 included instructions for this process.

Since the introduction of the ICD in the Nordic countries in the 1950s, differences in classification and publication have remained despite efforts to improve Nordic and international co-ordination. In 1987, a Nordic WHO-centre for the classification of diseases was established. The centre was led by Björn Smedby and would be prominent in the development of ICD. Over time, comparability within the Nordics and internationally has improved, and new information technology offers opportunities for further improvements.