The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a globally standardized system established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the classification and coding of diseases and health conditions. Prior to the 1948 edition - Revision 6 - the manual was known as The International List of Causes of Death (ILCD).
While its primary application lies within the medical field, the ICD can also serve as a powerful resource in genealogical research, particularly when investigating the medical history of ancestors. The following guide outlines the process for utilizing ICD codes in genealogical research:
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Purpose of ICD Codes
The ICD, developed by WHO, provides an internationally recognized standard for reporting diseases and health conditions. This system undergoes periodic revisions, with ICD-11 being the most current version as of 2022. For genealogists, ICD codes are invaluable for decoding medical terminology encountered in death certificates, obituaries, medical records, and family narratives. These codes can offer significant insights into the health issues faced by previous generations.
Records that use ICD codes
- Death Certificates: Death certificates often specify the cause of death, which may include an ICD code or a medical term that can be cross-referenced with ICD codes. It's important to note that ICD codes are typically added after the death certificate has been filed with local or state agencies. The attending physician or coroner is unlikely to have had immediate access to the latest ICD manual.
- Obituaries: Some obituaries might mention diseases or causes of death that can be looked up using ICD codes.
- Family medical records: If you have access to any family medical records, ICD codes might already be present, or the conditions mentioned can be cross-referenced.
Accessing ICD code manuals
- ICD online tools: Websites like the WHO’s official ICD browser allow you to search for codes by disease name or code number. This is useful for matching historical medical terms to current ICD codes.
- Historical ICD versions: Depending on the time period, different versions of ICD codes were used. You might need to refer to older versions, such as ICD-9 or ICD-10, when researching ancestors from earlier decades.
Example: Death certificate of Anna McPhillips
In a practical example, Anna McPhillips Austin (1887-1925) was killed in an automobile accident in the Bronx, New York, on May 8th, 1925. The ICD code 188, noted in the lower left-hand corner of her death certificate, corresponds to "Accidental injury by other forms of crushing (road vehicles, on railways, etc.)" in the 1920 ICD Revision 3.
Interpreting ICD codes and medical terminology
- Cross-Referencing: Utilize ICD codes to cross-reference unfamiliar medical terms. For instance, if a death certificate lists “phthisis” as the cause of death, you can identify it as an old term for tuberculosis, which is categorized under ICD-10 as A15-A19.
- Understanding causes of death: ICD codes can provide a more precise understanding of the cause of death or illness, particularly when the medical terminology used is outdated.
Using ICD codes for pattern analysis
- Family health patterns: By identifying recurring ICD codes or related health issues within your family tree, you can trace patterns of hereditary conditions or environmental factors that have impacted multiple generations.
- Population health trends: Comparing your genealogical findings with broader historical health data can contextualize your ancestors' medical conditions within the health trends of their time and place.
See also
Explore more about International Classification of Diseases
- International Classification of Diseases - all editions of ICD in PDF format
- ICD-11: Classifying disease to map the way we live and die - World Health Organization
- ICD-11: International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision - World Health Organization