20, AVENUE APPIA – CH-1211 GENEVA 27 – SWITZERLAND – TEL CENTRAL +41 22 791 2111 – FAX CENTRAL +41 22 791 3111 – WWW.WHO.INT
Ref.: C.L.41.2023
The World Health Organization (WHO) presents its compliments to Member States and
has the honour to inform them of the planned publication of the global health estimates for 2021
and updated estimates of excess mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic for the
period January 2020 – December 2022.
WHO’s global health estimates1 provide the latest available annual estimates on causes of
death, life expectancy and burden of diseases globally, by region and country, and by age and
sex from 2000 onward. They provide key insights on mortality and morbidity trends to support
informed decision-making on health policy and resource allocation. The forthcoming update will
include an assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall population health
and causes of death and disability in the years 2020 and 2021.
In May 2023, WHO published the national, regional and global estimates of excess
mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic2 for the period January 2020 – December
2021. These estimates are a comprehensive measure that accounts for both the direct and indirect
impacts of the pandemic on mortality. The next publication will provide updated excess
mortality estimates up to year 2022.
Publication of these estimates is scheduled for 2024. In an effort to simplify and streamline
country consultation processes, online consultations will be held via WHO’s country portal in
the world health data hub. This will allow active technical exchanges between Member States
and WHO Secretariat for review of:
(i) national primary data sources;
(ii) methodology; and
(iii) preliminary individual country estimates derived from the statistical model applied to
national primary data (where national data has been made available to WHO).
Reference is made to C.L.38.2022 concerning nomination of a technical focal point(s) for
the 2022 country consultation. Member States are requested to either confirm their focal point(s),
change the designation, or nominate one if they have not done so.
1
https://www.who.int/data/global-health-estimates.
2
https://www.who.int/data/sets/global-excess-deaths-associated-with-covid-19-modelled-estimates.
Page 2
C.L.41.23
Confirmation, change or designation of focal point(s), together with contact details (full
name, title, affiliation and email address), should be sent as soon as possible and no later than
30 November 2023 to the Secretariat at
[email protected]. Newly designated focal point(s)
will then receive instructions on how to access the country portal. Member States may have the
same or separate focal point(s) for each of the respective consultations i.e. the global health
estimates and excess mortality estimates.
The consultation for WHO’s global health estimates will commence in early January 2024
and close on 29 February 2024. The consultation for the updated estimates of excess mortality
associated with the COVID-19 pandemic will follow at the conclusion of the consultation on
global health estimates. The Secretariat will not be able to accommodate late submissions
received after the closing of country consultations.
Mortality estimates derived from causes of death data will be used for official global
reporting of Sustainable Development Goal indicators. For this reason, the names of the focal
points and institutions that participate in the consultations may be shared with United Nations
agencies that work with WHO.
The World Health Organization takes this opportunity to renew to Member States the
assurance of its highest consideration.
GENEVA, 1 November 2023
Saatja: <
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 02.11.2023 11:12
Koopia: <
[email protected]>
Teema: WHO: C.L.41.2023 (country consultatons)
Dear Member States of the World Health Organization,Please find attached,
in the six official languages, C.L.41.2023 regarding country
consultations for WHO global health estimates and updated estimates of
excess mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.Should you have
questions regarding C.L.41.2023 please send an email to
[email protected] regards,Department of Governing BodiesWorld
Health Organization***DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE
A REPLY***