2FIPS codes as well as NCHS codes beginning in 1982. 3Applicable only for those States having information on the certificate. 5Causes of death for 1979-88 were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision. Formerly these deaths were considered resident deaths of the place of occurrence. 3Causes of death for 1968-78 were coded according to the Eighth Revision, International Classification of Diseases, Adapted for Use in the United States.
Data file technical characteristics All mortality data files are fixed-length blocked files.
The block size and record length pertain to data stored on tape. Beginning 1994, the mortality data for Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are provided as separate data sets on the file. In residence classification, all deaths are allocated to the usual place of residence as reported on the death certificate and are classified by State, county, and city. For data years 1968-78, cities of 250,000 persons or more are classified. Beginning with 1979, cities of 100,000 persons or more are classified.