Experiences from countries across the Region of the Americas show how Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems continue to evolve, improving the quality, timeliness, and use of data.
This section brings together initiatives, progress, and lessons learned in strengthening CRVS systems across different countries. It includes articles from a special issue of the Pan American Journal of Public Health, documenting concrete experiences of implementation and development in the Region.
These contributions address key areas such as electronic death certification, interoperability, the use of new technologies, the application of international standards like ICD-11, and efforts to strengthen data governance and quality.
Informing ICD-11 implementation: applying systems thinking to assess mortality information systems in Ecuador and Trinidad and Tobago
The article examines the challenges and opportunities involved in implementing ICD-11 in mortality information systems in Ecuador and Trinidad and Tobago. Using a systems thinking approach, it identifies gaps in governance, processes, technology, and data management, and highlights key actions to strengthen the quality and use of health information.
Preparing for ICD-11 transition: lessons from case studies in Argentina and Mexico
The article explores the early stages of preparation for ICD-11 implementation in Argentina and Mexico through case studies that identify strategic decisions, challenges, and critical factors for adoption. It highlights the importance of assessing existing systems, planning, training, and cross-sector collaboration, as well as the need to adapt strategies to each context to achieve effective integration into health information systems.
Digital transformation of vital statistics in Mexico: the case of the birth certificate
The article analyzes the digital transformation of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system in Mexico, focusing on the implementation of the electronic birth certificate as a key modernization strategy. Through a case study, it describes its regulatory and operational evolution and highlights significant improvements in the timeliness, coverage, and quality of records, as well as its impact on public policy planning and the protection of the right to identity.
Implementation of digital signatures on death certification in Peru, 2022–2024
The article analyzes the implementation of digital signatures in electronic death certificates in Peru between 2022 and 2024, as a response to challenges related to security and reliability in death registration. Based on a systematization of the experience, it describes its integration into the SINADEF system, the use of electronic ID (DNI) to ensure the authenticity of records, and the observed effects on death reporting, highlighting improvements in security, data quality, and the reduction of underreporting.
Digital transformation of mortality reporting using an ICD-11 integrated death certificate system in Suriname
The article examines the digital transformation of mortality reporting through the implementation of electronic death certification systems. Based on the documented experience, it describes the transition from paper-based records to digital platforms, the technological and organizational components involved, and the improvements in timeliness, coverage, and data quality. It also highlights how these systems strengthen the availability of data for public health decision-making.
Mortality coding with ICD-11 in Chile: main results and prospects for implementation
The article examines mortality coding using ICD-11 in Chile, assessing its concordance, comparability, and usability in relation to ICD-10. Based on an applied study of death certificates, it presents results showing strong consistency between the two classifications and a high level of feasibility for using the new version. It also identifies challenges related to staff training and the adaptation of digital tools, and outlines perspectives for advancing its implementation in the country.
Distance between place of residence and location of maternal deaths: Regional, ethnic-racial, and territorial inequalities in Brazil, 2018 to 2023
The article examines the distance between the place of residence of women in labor and the location of maternal deaths in Brazil, in relation to regional, ethnic-racial, and territorial inequalities. Based on a geospatial analysis of available records, it identifies significant gaps in timely access to health services and reveals patterns of displacement linked to contexts of vulnerability. It also highlights the relevance of these findings for informing public policies aimed at reducing inequities and strengthening the organization of health systems.
Data integration for the prevention of violence against girls and women in Northeastern Brazil
The article analyzes the integration of health and public security data for the prevention of violence against girls and women in northeastern Brazil. By linking records from different information systems, it examines the scale and characteristics of reported cases, revealing significant gaps between data sources and levels of underreporting. It also highlights how data integration enables a more comprehensive understanding of the issue and serves as a key tool for designing public policies aimed at preventing and addressing violence.
Implementation of the ICD-11 in Brazil: an overview
The article provides an overview of the ICD-11 implementation process in Brazil, launched in 2021 and planned through 2027, highlighting its gradual and context-adapted approach across the country. It outlines key progress and strategic directions, organized around areas such as technological infrastructure, data comparability and quality, capacity development, and dissemination. It also examines challenges related to interoperability and the preservation of historical data series, and underscores the potential of ICD-11 to modernize health information systems and strengthen decision-making.