Training and Instructional Materials
Birth and death information is an important source of statistical data for identifying public health problems, monitoring progress in public health, informing the allocation of research and prevention funds, and conducting scientific research. For these reasons, complete, accurate, and standardized reporting of vital events is critical.
The following materials are produced by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and provide detailed guidance on completion of vital records, as well as procedures involved in the classification, coding, and processing of data collected from vital records.
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Online training in completing certificates and reports for vital events. Select training offers continuing education credits.
Topic-specific guidance and case reports designed to address issues impacting the quality of vital statistics reporting.
Quick reference guide for certifying cause of death, with instructions and examples of how to fill out a death certificate.
Handbooks and guides detail the operation of the registration system, item-by-item instructions for completing each item on certificates and reports, and rationale for collecting the information.
Manuals provide technical details on classification and coding, specifications for the U.S. standard certificates and reports, and comprehensive descriptions of computer edits used by NCHS in processing natality and mortality data.
General and topic-specific guidance to help medical certifiers correctly report the cause(s) of death on the death certificate.