Counting the Uncounted

Members of the community systematically identify and report local events of public health significance.

Advances in epidemiology and technology mean that for the first time, counting every human life is possible.

In recent years, Rwanda has invested considerable effort to understand patterns of mortality and tackle the causes.

One small sub-district in Bangladesh, not far from the capital of Dhaka, has become a pioneer in documenting its people’s births and deaths.

Civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS), the registration of vital events such as births and deaths and cause of death, contribute to up to 40 percent of the SDGs and their targets.

A strong legal framework is the foundation of a well-functioning CRVS system, and is a necessary step toward achieving universal, permanent, and continuous registration coverage.

We’re working with governments in 20 low- and middle-countries around the world to improve the collection and use of critical public health data.