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Assessing the quality of cause of death data in six high-income countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan and Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Lene Mikkelsen

    (University of Melbourne)

  • Kim Moesgaard Iburg

    (Aarhus University)

  • Tim Adair

    (University of Melbourne)

  • Thomas Fürst

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute)

  • Michael Hegnauer

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute)

  • Elena Lippe

    (Robert Koch Institute)

  • Lauren Moran

    (Australian Bureau of Statistics)

  • Shuhei Nomura

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Haruka Sakamoto

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Kenji Shibuya

    (King’s College London)

  • Annelene Wengler

    (Robert Koch Institute)

  • Stephanie Willbond

    (Statistics Canada)

  • Patricia Wood

    (Statistics Canada)

  • Alan D. Lopez

    (University of Melbourne)

Abstract

Objectives To assess the policy utility of national cause of death (COD) data of six high-income countries with highly developed health information systems. Methods National COD data sets from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan and Switzerland for 2015 or 2016 were assessed by applying the ANACONDA software tool. Levels, patterns and distributions of unusable and insufficiently specified “garbage” codes were analysed. Results The average proportion of unusable COD was 18% across the six countries, ranging from 14% in Australia and Canada to 25% in Japan. Insufficiently specified codes accounted for a further 8% of deaths, on average, varying from 6% in Switzerland to 11% in Japan. The most commonly used garbage codes were Other ill-defined and unspecified deaths (R99), Heart failure (I50.9) and Senility (R54). Conclusions COD certification errors are common, even in countries with very advanced health information systems, greatly reducing the policy value of mortality data. All countries should routinely provide certification training for hospital interns and raise awareness among doctors of their public health responsibility to certify deaths correctly and usefully for public health policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Lene Mikkelsen & Kim Moesgaard Iburg & Tim Adair & Thomas Fürst & Michael Hegnauer & Elena Lippe & Lauren Moran & Shuhei Nomura & Haruka Sakamoto & Kenji Shibuya & Annelene Wengler & Stephanie Willbon, 2020. "Assessing the quality of cause of death data in six high-income countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan and Switzerland," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(1), pages 17-28, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:65:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s00038-019-01325-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-019-01325-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alan Lopez, 2013. "Reducing risks to health: what can we learn from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(5), pages 645-646, October.
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