The CODA project is a three-year initiative funded to improve cause-of-death data in places where only eight per cent of deaths have documented causes. The project is led by Vital Strategies with a group of partner organisations.
CODA uses historical data to train its AI and can run offline, then upload data later. In communities, health workers do post-mortem interviews with family members and enter answers. In health facilities, doctors can add patient history, observations and test results. The tool gives a level of confidence for its recommendations and not a single final verdict.
Limited trials are planned in South Africa and Bangladesh, and the project will set up an advisory group to deal with ethical and legal issues.
Difficult words
- initiative — a new plan or project to achieve something
- document — to record information in written formdocumented
- post-mortem — an interview or exam after a person dies
- offline — working without an internet connection
- confidence — a measure of how sure a result or idea is
- advisory — a group that gives advice about a subject
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could the project help health workers in communities?
- What concerns might an advisory group discuss about the project?
- Do you think running the tool offline is useful? Why or why not?
Related articles
Which childhood food allergies are outgrown?
Many children outgrow milk and egg allergies, while peanut, tree nut, sesame and shellfish allergies often persist. Factors such as IgE levels, allergy severity and genetics affect whether a child becomes tolerant and which treatments help.
