The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) supports the strengthening of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems across the Region, with a focus on their integration with health information systems. This is where these systems take on real meaning: in the quality of data on births, deaths, and causes of death, and in how that information is used to inform decision-making.
Through its technical cooperation, PAHO promotes the development of conceptual frameworks, methodological tools, and technical resources that help improve the quality, timeliness, and coverage of vital data—key elements for evidence-based public policy.
This section brings together guides, tools, and publications that sit at the intersection of CRVS and health. Materials aimed at improving registration, certification, and analysis processes, while also helping to understand how these data shape health planning. It also includes country experiences—real cases that reflect progress, challenges, and lessons learned in implementing digital solutions and using data for decision-making.
Connectivity and Bandwidth: Key Areas for Improving Public Health
Connectivity and bandwidth are essential for the effective implementation of digital technologies in public health.
Introduction to Semantic Interoperability
The principles of semantic interoperability to facilitate the exchange and integration of data across health information systems.
Electronic Health Records and the Importance of How to Document
Strengthening clinical documentation processes to improve the quality and availability of data in health systems.
Why Data Disaggregation is key during a pandemic
Data disaggregation plays a key role in understanding health profiles and supporting more informed decision-making.
Information Architecture in Public Health
Principles of information architecture to support the organization and effective use of data in public health.
Rapid Assessment Tool for Critical Data Gathering
A tool to assess the capacity of health institutions to collect critical, high-quality data during health emergencies.
Secure, Interoperable Patient Portals with Quality Data
A set of recommendations for developing patient portals that are secure, interoperable, and built on high-quality data.
Elements for a Data Management Policy: Information Systems for Health
A document outlining the key elements for developing data management policies within Information Systems for Health.
National Data Governance Framework: Information Systems for Health
Key components of a national data governance framework for the strategic management of health information.
Guiding Principles: Information Systems for Health
A resource describing key principles to guide the transformation and governance of Information Systems for Health.
Enhancing COVID-19 Mortality Surveillance in Latin America and the Caribbean
Guidelines for COVID-19 mortality surveillance using all-cause mortality.
Standards catalog for interoperability (only spanish)
A practical reference to identify and select standards that support interoperability.
Eight Guiding Principles of Digital Transformation of the Health Sector
Principles to guide countries through digital transformation processes.
Interoperability
An overview of interoperability principles that enable the exchange and integration of data across digital health systems.
Digital public goods
An overview of digital public goods as a principle that supports the digital transformation of health systems.
Principles and Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System
Third revision of the Principles and Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System, published in 2014. United Nations.
Guidelines on the legislative framework for civil registration, vital statistics and identity management
These Guidelines replace the 1998 handbook on developing a legal framework. United Nations.
Handbook on CRVS systems: Management, operation and maintenance
Information and examples to establish or improve the management of CRVS and identity systems. United Nations.
Handbook on CRVS systems: Communication for development
Guidance on the design and strategic development of communication activities. United Nations.
SCORE for health data Technical package: tools and standards for essential SCORE interventions
A set of the most effective interventions and tools to strengthen health data. WHO