The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a regional initiative to strengthen technical capacity in the implementation of the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11), focusing on improving the recording and analysis of mortality data across the Americas. The initiative began with the course “Training of ICD-11 coders and its tools: mortality component for the Americas,” held in Mexico City with participation from health authorities, international experts, and representatives from multiple countries in the region.
The opening session featured key officials including Dr. Christian Zaragoza from Mexico’s Ministry of Health, Dr. José Moya, PAHO/WHO Representative in Mexico, and Dr. Robert Jakob from the WHO Department of Health Statistics and Information Systems. They highlighted the importance of strengthening standardized health information systems to improve data quality and support evidence-based decision-making in public health.
The training programme is being delivered in a hybrid format, combining an in-person session in Mexico City from April 20 to 24, 2026, with a virtual phase continuing until July 2026. The in-person component focuses on training experienced professionals in death certification and coding, enabling them to replicate knowledge and lead ICD-11 implementation in their respective countries. The virtual phase expands access to a wider audience across the region through weekly technical sessions, with a strong focus on mortality coding and the use of the DORIS tool.
Participants in the programme include representatives from across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and several other countries, reflecting a broad regional commitment to improving health data systems. The initiative is designed to ensure consistent standards in mortality coding and enhance comparability of health data across national systems.
This effort forms part of PAHO’s broader Plan of Action for Strengthening Information Systems for Health 2030. It aims to improve the quality, reliability, and usability of mortality statistics, which are essential for shaping effective health policies and interventions. Strengthening these systems is expected to support better public health planning and response across the region.
The programme is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Data for Health initiative and implemented in collaboration with the Mexican Center for the Classification of Diseases, along with technical coordination from PAHO and contributions from experts in Mexico, Chile, and Canada.
