The World Health Organization (WHO) has published the 2025 edition of the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11). This essential tool standardizes the terminology employed by health professionals across the globe in the diagnosis, reporting, and monitoring of diseases, injuries, and causes of mortality.
The ICD represents a flagship initiative of WHO, serving as a foundation for the identification of health trends and statistical data both at the national and international levels. It is integral to WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work, which aims to expedite progress towards health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), address health inequalities, and achieve pertinent national health objectives. Daily, critical and life-saving decisions in clinical, administrative, policy, and research contexts are informed by the standardized language established in ICD-11.
Additionally, ICD-11 impacts the provision of financial protection and social insurance, as reimbursement policies from health insurers are contingent upon ICD coding. The classification of diseases also profoundly influences societal perceptions and behaviors towards various health conditions, affecting how individuals seek and receive healthcare, how providers respond, and the policies that govern the delivery of care. For instance, the reclassification and increased emphasis on diseases of the immune system in ICD-11 have empowered health practitioners to better address autoimmune disorders in accordance with the latest evidence and knowledge.
