May 7, 2025 (Hagatna, Guam) – From April 8–11, 2025, health leaders from across the North Pacific convened in Guam for a regional training on the Medical Certificate Cause of Death (MCCOD). The workshop, organized by the Pacific Community (SPC) and supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health initiative, focused on strengthening the accuracy and quality of mortality data through improved certification practices.
Representing the PIHOA was Dr. Gillian Dunn, Regional Health Information Systems & Health Security Coordinator. Her participation highlights PIHOA’s continued commitment to advancing data-driven health systems across the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPIs). Accurate and reliable cause-of-death data is critical for strengthening civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. These systems inform public health policy, planning, and resource allocation throughout the region.
Learn more about the training HERE!