Causes of death of persons who at the time of death were residents of the Netherlands. (01-01-1996-01-01-2013)

This file contains data on the primary and secondary causes of death of persons registered in the Municipal Basic Administration (GBA) at the time of the death and were therefore resident in the Netherlands.The primary cause of death is the disease or event with which the sequence of events leading to death started. One speaks of the underlying disease or the ground sickness. Consequences or complications of this are usually considered secondary causes of death, as well as other diseases that were present at the time of death and sometimes contributed to death.The causes of death used are from the World Health Organisation’s International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) list. More information on how to access the data: > https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/onze-diensten/maatwerk-en-microdata/microdata-zelf-onderzoek-doen ### Methodology For every deceased resident of the Netherlands, the doctor (the attending physician, his observer or the municipal coroner) fills in a certificate of death (B-declaration). This cause of death is sent to the CBS medical officer in a closed envelope via the municipality where the death occurred. At CBS, the envelopes are opened and the forms are processed. This happens completely anonymously, the name of the deceased is not known to CBS. The causes of death are translated into coding according to the World Health Organisation’s International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD). Since 1996, the 10th revision of the ICD (ICD-10, WHO).Coding according to the WHO guidelines means that only one disease or event can be considered a primary cause of death, namely the disease or event that started the sequence of events leading to death. One speaks of the underlying disease or the ground sickness. Consequences or complications of this are usually considered secondary causes of death (causes of death), as well as other diseases that were present at the time of death and sometimes contributed to death. In the case of an external cause of death (non-natural death), the event is almost always considered a primary cause of death and the resulting injury as a secondary cause of death. Especially when there are multiple causes, the distinction between primary cause of death and secondary cause of death (causes of death) can be difficult. A responsible choice is always made in compliance with the rules and regulations drawn up by the WHO. Of course, it depends on the information provided by the doctor. In a number of cases, therefore, in case of ambiguity, questions are made in writing or by telephone. In addition to the always present primary cause of death, a maximum of three secondary causes of death are assigned per deceased. In euthanasia, the suffering of the deceased is considered the primary cause of death. Euthanasia is counted as a natural death. ### Population Deceased persons who were registered in the GBA at the time of death.