The objective of the Mortality Forum and the Mortality Reference Group (MRG) is
  • to improve international comparability of mortality data
  • by establishing standardized application of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10)

The Mortality Forum is an international discussion network of about 100 members representing more than 40 countries and organizations
  • that identifies and solves problems related to the
  • interpretation and application of
  • ICD-10 to coding and classification of mortality (cause of death)

Problems are solved in the forum, or fed into specialist discussions at the WHO-FIC Network Mortality Reference Group (MRG), resulting in standardized application of mortality coding rules and guidelines by
  1. making decisions regarding the interpretation of rules and guidelines for mortality, and
  2. deliberating on updates to the classification and the rules and guidelines.
The MRG formulates recommendations for ICD-10 updates that are based on these discussions through a democratic process which attempts to achieve consensus.
Such updates include both, clarifications and correction of errors, in ICD.

The Mortality Forum and the Mortality Reference Group are part of the WHO Network for the Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC Network).