What is the international classification of health?

October 2, 2025 •

2 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) coordinates the primary systems for global health classification to ensure consistent data collection and reporting. So, what is the international classification of health? It is not a single tool but a family of standards, including those for diseases (ICD), functioning (ICF), and interventions (ICHI).

Quick Summary

The international classification of health refers to a family of standardized frameworks, managed by the World Health Organization (WHO), used to record and report health information consistently across the globe. These tools enable international comparison of data on diseases, health conditions, disability, and interventions to inform policy and research.

Key Points

WHO-FIC: The international classification of health is a family of standards managed by the World Health Organization (WHO), not a single document.
ICD: The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a core component used for coding and tracking diseases, health conditions, and causes of death globally.
ICF: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a framework to describe a person's functioning and disability, taking a bio-psycho-social approach.
ICHI: The International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) is a system for classifying medical and public health procedures and interventions.
Standardized Language: These classifications provide a standardized, common language that allows for consistent data collection and reporting across different countries and time periods.
Data-Driven Policy: The data collected using these classifications is critical for informing public health policy, allocating resources, and improving patient care worldwide.

The WHO Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC)

The international classification of health is anchored by the WHO Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC). This family of tools provides a common language for health data globally. Key members include the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

The ICD is a fundamental classification system for comparable global statistics on mortality and morbidity.

History and How ICD-11 Works

The ICD has evolved significantly, with the latest version, ICD-11, adopted in 2019 and effective in 2022. ICD-11 includes over 55,000 unique codes and was developed as an electronic tool to enhance accessibility and accuracy, addressing new health issues and updating classifications.

Applications of ICD

ICD is used for health statistics, clinical practice, and research.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

The ICF, endorsed by the WHO in 2001, provides a framework to describe health and health-related states by focusing on how a person functions with a health condition. It goes beyond the disease itself to consider the individual's experience.

Components and Model

ICF includes components for Body Functions and Structures, Activities and Participation, and Environmental Factors. It is based on a bio-psycho-social model, recognizing disability as an interaction between health and contextual factors.

The International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI)

ICHI is a WHO-developed classification system designed to standardize the reporting of health interventions.

Structure and Scope

ICHI uses a tri-axial structure (Target, Action, Means) to describe interventions. Its scope is broad, covering various interventions from surgical procedures to public health initiatives.

Using the Classifications Together: A Unified Approach

The classifications are designed to be used complementarily for a comprehensive view of health. The table below outlines their distinct focuses and purposes:


Feature	ICD (Diseases)	ICF (Functioning)	ICHI (Interventions)
Focus	Diagnoses, conditions, causes of death	Body functions, activities, participation, disability	Procedures and actions to improve health
Purpose	Track mortality and morbidity statistics	Describe health and disability experience	Classify health service delivery
Example	Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes	Experiencing difficulty walking and social participation	Providing rehabilitation therapy and education
Perspective	The medical condition	The individual's experience and context	The healthcare provider's action

Conclusion

The international classification of health is a vital, evolving system managed by the WHO, encompassing ICD, ICF, and ICHI. These standards enable comparable global health data, supporting evidence-based policymaking, clinical practice, and improved public health outcomes. They are updated to reflect medical advancements and integrate with digital health systems for interoperable data.

For more detailed information, the World Health Organization's website is the definitive source for exploring its global health classifications: https://www.who.int/standards/classifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

The international classification of health systems and their associated tools, such as the ICD, ICF, and ICHI, were developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its collaborating centers to ensure global standardization of health data.

The ICD is used worldwide to code and classify diseases, injuries, and causes of death. It is vital for compiling global health statistics, informing public health policies, and managing reimbursement and resource allocation in healthcare.

The ICD classifies diseases and health conditions, focusing on the cause or diagnosis. In contrast, the ICF describes an individual's functioning and disability, focusing on their abilities and limitations in the context of their environment. They provide complementary views of health.

The newest version is ICD-11, which was adopted in 2019 and officially came into effect on January 1, 2022. It features a modern, electronic-first structure and an expanded code set to reflect current medical understanding.

A standardized international classification is crucial for health because it allows for the consistent collection, analysis, and comparison of health data across different countries and regions. This standardization is essential for tracking global pandemics, monitoring health trends, and planning effective public health strategies.

ICHI classifies the full range of health interventions, including medical, surgical, and public health actions. It uses a tri-axial structure (Target, Action, and Means) to systematically code interventions for clinical and statistical purposes.

Yes, the WHO's classifications are designed to be used together. For example, an ICD code can specify a diagnosis, while an ICF code describes the resulting functional limitations, and an ICHI code details the interventions provided.