Death Certificate CME-About the Death Certificate Project

ause of death is the most important piece of public health information on the death certificate.

Mortality statistics derived from the cause of death section are used to assess the general health of the population, to examine medical problems which may be found among specific groups of people, and to indicate areas in which medical research may have the greatest impact on reducing mortality.

Allocation of medical services, funding, and other resources are carried out with information provided by mortality statistics.

ecause the information derived from death and fetal death certificates can be no more accurate than the data on the certificate, it is very important that all persons concerned with the registration of deaths strive not only for complete registration, but also for accuracy and promptness in reporting these events.

he need for further education about the proper filling out of certificates of death has led the Texas Department of Health to design this online project for physicians in the state.

It is hoped that this site will serve as both a reference and tutorial tool to help physicians improve the accuracy of information they supply on death certificates.