The Lifesaving Potential of Death Data

Communicating Value Beyond the Health Sector

Death data is foundational to public health and national governance. At the World Health Assembly, join the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative for a timely discussion with Ministers of Health and senior WHO and CDC leaders on how they communicate the importance of mortality data to political and financial decision-makers beyond the health sector.

An estimated 40 percent of deaths go unrecorded worldwide. This gap ripples across all areas of governance, undermining decisions beyond the health sector. Reliable death data depends on strong civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems, investments in which are among the most valuable a country can make.

This session will focus on a challenge facing many health officials: how to communicate the lifesaving value of death data in ways that resonate with political and financial decision-makers, to drive greater support and investment.

Senior leaders will also discuss why improving death data is increasingly urgent and foundational as countries accelerate investments in digital public infrastructure.

Attendees at the World Health Assembly are warmly invited to join us for breakfast on Wednesday, May 20 at 8:00am to delve into this critical issue.

Registration is required, space is limited. Continental breakfast with coffee and tea will be served.

The event is in Room: Bruxelles

Speakers:

• Dr. Brian Munkombwe, Health Statistician, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Dr. Alain Labrique, Director, Department of Digital Health & Innovation, World Health Organization