Potentials of data linkages from civil registration and vital statistics and other systems in advancing the sustainable development goals: the case of road safety

Abstract

The significant need for better data to monitor the sustainable development goals prompted African ministers at the fourth conference of ministers responsible for civil registration and vital statistics to reaffirm their commitment to address civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) issues within the context of the African Union Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; to reiterate their obligation to improve the recording of causes of death and the linkages between the health sector and CRVS systems in Africa; and to collaborate with other ministries responsible for CRVS systems with a view to promoting the reliability of health statistics. Monitoring sustainable development goal target 3.6, which aims to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2020, provides an opportunity not only for inter-sect oral collaboration among government led institutions, but also to link with the private sector and civil society in campaigning for safer roads, providing emergency response and insurance coverage.