WHO-FIC Interoperability Hub
Your central gateway to mapping, tools and guidance for international health classifications
Overview
The WHO Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC) provides a standardized, integrated set of classifications and terminologies that support consistent global health information. Learn more. Mapping activities support interoperability between WHO-FIC classifications and terminologies (such as ICD-11) and other health terminologies or code systems.
In this Hub you will find:
- Mapping methods and best-practice guidance
- Tools and downloads to support mapping and coding
- Published mappings and linkages with external terminologies
- Implementation resources for Member States and vendors
Tools & Resources
- ICD-11 Home Page – the global standard for diagnostic health information.
- ICD-API (REST and FHIR) Documentation – programmatic access to ICD-11 content.
- CodeFusion Documentation – command-line tool to assist coding and mapping generation.
- ICD-11 Coding Tool User Guide – guidance on using the browser and coding tool.
Mapping Guidance & Methodology
- WHO-FIC Mapping Guide – Terminologies & Classifications – scope, technique, documentation, quality assurance (QA).
- WHO-FIC Mapping Publication – overview document on mapping in WHO-FIC.
Key mapping principles (excerpt):
- Define purpose and scope clearly.
- Select mapping technique appropriate to source/target.
- Publish transparent documentation and metadata.
- Apply quality assurance and usage validation.
Published Linkages & External Terminologies
WHO supports linkages between ICD-11/WHO-FIC and other terminologies or classifications. Some examples:
- ICD-11 ↔ MedDRA Collaboration – supports pharmacovigilance and safety analytics.
- Orphanet Mappings – linkages for rare-disease registries (ICD-11 & Orphanet).
- MONDO Disease Ontology – community ontology integrating ICD-11 Foundation content.
Note: Inclusion of a linkage or mapping does not imply endorsement of a third-party terminology or product.
Licence & Mapping Reference
The digital version of ICD-11, ICF and ICHI (the “Classifications Suite”) is subject to the Terms of Use & License Agreement, issued by WHO.
Key licence highlights:
- ICD-11 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 3.0 IGO (CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO).
- Mappings or crosswalks between other classifications/terminologies and ICD-11 are not covered by the ICD-11 licence and require a separate written agreement with WHO.
- Any mention of ICD-11 in published reports should include the citation: International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11), World Health Organization (WHO) 2019/2021, https://icd.who.int/browse11.
Implications for mapping: Mapping artefacts are typically governed by separate agreements; implementers should confirm licence conditions before use.
Get Started
If you are planning a mapping project or looking to use mapping artefacts, follow these steps:
- Review the Mapping Guide and select the appropriate technique and scope.
- Download and explore tools such as CodeFusion , ICD-API, and the ICD-11 Browser.
- Check published mappings and adapt them as needed for your use-case.
- Implement quality assurance (QA) and usage validation – refer to the Mapping Guide for best practice.
- Publish or share your mapping as a public good, and align with WHO-FIC governance principles.
FAQ
Q: Does using a mapping mean ICD-11 is no longer needed?
A: No. ICD-11 remains the primary standard for recording, classification and reporting. Mappings support interoperability; they do not replace ICD-11 implementation.
Q: Can I use CodeFusion to create mappings to any terminology?
A: CodeFusion supports mapping generation to any terminology or classification, but you should be clear about your scope and apply quality assurance (QA). See the documentation for details.
Q: Does WHO endorse or certify third-party terminologies via this hub?
A: No. WHO remains neutral. Any linkage published does not constitute endorsement.
References
- World Health Organization. WHO Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC).
- ICD-11: icd.who.int.
- ICD-11 API and CodeFusion Documentation: icd.who.int/docs/icd-api/.
- WHO-FIC Mapping Guide: PDF link.
- ICD-11 Licence Agreement: icd.who.int/en/docs/ICD11-license.pdf.
- MedDRA Collaboration Announcement: WHO News Release.
- Orphanet Mappings: mappings.orphacode.org.
- MONDO Disease Ontology: obofoundry.org.