Inconsistent death reporting practices lead to inaccurate counting of disaster-related deaths.

Understanding how and why people die as a result of a natural or human induced disasters is critical to gauge the scope of a disaster, stand up an effective response, and determine future disaster preparedness needs. Many different agencies and practitioners – medical examiners and coroners, medicolegal death investigators, and public health officials – have a role in collecting and reporting mortality data. Inconsistencies in how data are collected and reported result in underreporting of disaster-related deaths. In recent years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed guidance and trainings for these practitioners to improve consistency in the way that disaster mortality data is collected and reported. 

NORC is conducting research to inform the development of new resources to improve death reporting practices.

NORC has conducted mixed-methods research to understand the effectiveness of existing trainings and assess current knowledge of existing death certification guidance to inform the development of new tools, trainings, and reference materials for medical examiners, coroners, and death investigators. We have also conducted research to inform the development of tools for public health professionals to improve tracking, reporting, and estimating disaster-related deaths. Throughout the project, we consult with experts across these disciplines to ensure the resources are relevant and useful for their work.