Mortality statistics derived from the cause of death section are used to:

• Assess the general health of the population
• Examine medical problems which may be found among specific groups of people
• Indicate areas in which medical research may have the greatest impact on reducing mortality
• Allocate medical services, funding, and other resources
• Evaluate prenatal care services and obstetrical programs and to study the causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the case of fetal death certificates.