Mastering Mortality Monitoring: A Strategic Approach to Sample Registration Systems

This post summarizes a January 2025 webinar which discussed the planning, design, and implementation of sample registration systems (SRS) programs to improve mortality monitoring and public health decision making. The speakers were Agbessi Amouzou and Malick Kante from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Daniel Cobos from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. 

Watch the webinar recording:

Situational Assessments

The discussion covered key aspects of situational assessment which includes:

• Understanding the existing mortality data landscape, and

• Identifying key stakeholders, and assessing current surveillance systems to inform SRS design. 

Stakeholder engagement and governance

The conversation around stakeholder engagement and governance shared insights on best practices for interministerial coordination, ensuring government ownership, and fostering sustainable partnerships. Experts highlighted the importance of integrating SRS with existing surveillance systems such as civil registration and health information systems to enable seamless data interoperability.

Tools and Methodologies

Additionally, the webinar introduced various tools and methodologies for data collection, including process mapping, data flow analysis, and business process architecture, to strengthen mortality data collection and reporting. Challenges in SRS implementation were discussed through real world examples shared by country representatives, shedding light on common barriers such as funding constraints, technical capacity gaps, and policy misalignment. The session also explored strategic planning, emphasizing the need for costed action plans and long-term strategies to ensure sustainability and country led ownership of SRS initiatives.

A key highlight of the webinar was the discussion on digital solutions and their role in streamlining data collection and reporting. Speakers provided practical guidance on how governments, health agencies, and partners can design and operationalize robust SRS models while leveraging technology to enhance efficiency. Interactive discussions allowed participants to engage in meaningful exchanges, sharing their perspectives on regional challenges, funding opportunities, and best practices for strengthening mortality surveillance systems.

With diverse perspectives, expert knowledge, and practical insights, this session served as a valuable step toward advancing mortality surveillance worldwide. It underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning in building sustainable systems that support accurate and timely mortality data. The discussions laid the groundwork for future sessions, fostering a growing community committed to improving public health through enhanced mortality monitoring and data driven decision making.

To access the tools used in the webinar, click here.