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Review
. 2015 Oct 3;386(10001):1373-1385.
doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60173-8. Epub 2015 May 10.

Civil registration and vital statistics: progress in the data revolution for counting and accountability

Carla AbouZahr  1 , Don de Savigny  2 , Lene Mikkelsen  3 , Philip W Setel  4 , Rafael Lozano  5 , Erin Nichols  6 , Francis Notzon  6 , Alan D Lopez  7
Affiliations
Review

Civil registration and vital statistics: progress in the data revolution for counting and accountability

Carla AbouZahr et al. Lancet. .

Abstract

New momentum for civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) is building, driven by the confluence of growing demands for accountability and results in health, improved equity, and rights-based approaches to development challenges, and by the immense potential of innovation and new technologies to accelerate CRVS improvement. Examples of country successes in strengthening of hitherto weak systems are emerging. The key to success has been to build collaborative partnerships involving local ownership by several sectors that span registration, justice, health, statistics, and civil society. Regional partners can be important to raise awareness, set regional goals and targets, foster country-to-country exchange and mutual learning, and build high-level political commitment. These regional partners continue to provide a platform through which country stakeholders, development partners, and technical experts can share experiences, develop and document good practices, and propose innovative approaches to tackle CRVS challenges. This country and regional momentum would benefit from global leadership, commitment, and support.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests

We declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure
Figure. Percentage of children aged less than 5 years whose births are registered by age (months)
Data from the United Nations Children’s Fund.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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