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?
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