[Comment] Missing mortality: closing the data gaps

00:00 - 12 Oct 2025

Data on who is dying, when they are dying, and what they are dying from are crucial for identifying vulnerable populations and targeting health interventions, as well as for resource planning and prioritisation. Comprehensive civil and vital registration systems (CVRS) provide data on all births and deaths, allowing countries to track levels and causes of mortality. These systems are generally considered the most reliable source of data on key demographic metrics such as life expectancy and mortality rates;1 however, in many settings, CVRS are either not fully functioning or not available at all, leaving a major data and intelligence gap.