Multiple-Cause-of-Death Data
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) compiles and publishes annual national statistics on causes of death. NCHS is one of the 12 centers, institutes, and offices of CDC. As the Nation’s principal health statistics agency, NCHS provides statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the health of people in the United States. NCHS surveys and data systems provide fundamental public health and health policy statistics that are used to track changes in health and health care delivery. Statistics are obtained through a broad-based program of ongoing and special studies in partnership with State government, including household interview surveys, examination surveys, surveys of health care providers, and collection of statistics on birth and death. NCHS participates with other agencies, such as NIOSH, and promotes the use and dissemination of vital and health statistics.
The Division of Vital Statistics obtains information about deaths from the registration offices of all States, New York City, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Geographic coverage has been complete since 1933. The mortality data file comprises demographic and medical information. Demographic data are provided by the funeral director and are based on information supplied by an informant. Medical certification of cause of death is provided by a physician, medical examiner, or coroner. Mortality data are used to profile deaths by underlying demographic and geographic characteristics to compare mortality trends with other countries and determine life expectancy.
Traditionally, national mortality statistics have been based on a count of deaths with one underlying cause assigned for each death. National single-cause mortality statistics are available from the early 1900s. Beginning in 1968, electronic files with multiple-cause-of-death information were compiled and made available by NCHS. Causes of death are coded according to the International Classification of Diseases as adapted for use in the United States. Public-use files contain records of all U.S. deaths that are reported to State vital statistics offices (approximately 2 million annually). Each death record includes codes for up to 20 conditions listed on the death certificate, including both underlying and contributing causes of death. Other data include age, race, sex, and State and county of residence at the time of death. In addition, usual occupation and industry codes have been available for decedents from some States since 1985 [NIOSH 1997], and NCHS annually determines that certain quality criteria have been met by usual industry and occupation data from selected States.
Potential limitations posed by multiple-cause-of-death data include the following: under-reporting or over-reporting of conditions on the death certificate by certifying physicians, incomplete or unclassified reporting of usual occupation and industry, and nonspecificity of codes.
For further information, contact
Mortality Statistics Branch
Division of Vital Statistics
National Center for Health Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
3311 Toledo Road, Floor 7
Hyattsville, MD 20782
Telephone: 301–458–4666
www.cdc.gov/nchs/about.htm
and
www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/elec_prods/subject/mortmcd.htm
