Mortality Medical Data System

The Mortality Medical Data System (MMDS) is a comprehensive database that collects, analyzes, and disseminates information related to mortality rates and causes of death. The system is primarily used by healthcare professionals, researchers, and policy makers to monitor trends, identify risk factors, and develop strategies to improve public health.

Pronunciation: /mɔːrˈtalɪti mɛdɪkəl deɪtə sɪstəm/

Etymology: The term is derived from the Latin word 'mors' meaning 'death', the Greek word 'medicus' meaning 'physician', and the Latin word 'datum' meaning 'given'. The word 'system' is derived from the Greek word 'systēma' meaning 'whole compounded of several parts or members'.

Function

The MMDS collects data from various sources including death certificates, hospital records, and autopsy reports. This data is then categorized and analyzed to provide insights into the causes and patterns of mortality. The system is crucial for understanding the health status of a population and for planning and evaluating health services and policies.

Related Terms

Epidemiology: The study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why.
Mortality Rate: A measure of the number of deaths in a particular population, scaled to the size of that population, per unit of time.
Cause of Death: The specific disease or injury that initiated the train of events leading directly to death.
Public Health: The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.
Healthcare Professional: A person who delivers proper health care in a professional manner.