INTRODUCTION-   Burden of Diseases evaluates the load of morbidity and mortality in a region. Morbidity statistics show the amount of disease prevalent in that area while Mortality conveys the proportion of deaths in the area to the population of that area.

Although infectious diseases remain a formidable enemy, the population is ageing and non-communicable diseases are rising. Therefore, a need was felt for a statistical classification of diseases which must encompass the entire range of morbid conditions within a manageable number of categories. World Health Organization (WHO) along with its collaboration with non-governmental organizations and other agencies played a vital role in the development of new classifications, adaptations & glossaries by providing co-operative leadership, acting as a clearing-house, giving technical advice, guidance & support when needed.

HISTORY -  Earlier, the morbidity & mortality pattern of the institutions was analyzed with respect to 200 diseases in IXth schedule of  International Classification of Diseases. These diseases had been grouped in 17 main groups of diseases and further all these diseases had been grouped in 3 major groups:-
(i)   Communicable group of diseases (ii) Non-Communicable group of diseases
(iii) Injuries and Poisoning cases.

The International Conference for the Xth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases was convened by the WHO at WHO Headquarters in Geneva from 26 September to 2nd October 1989 and it was titled