ICD-11 in global public health surveillance: Advancements in infectious disease tracking, non-communicable disease management, and antimicrobial resistance monitoring

As medical knowledge continues to evolve, the limitations of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), in supporting public health surveillance and reporting have become increasingly evident. The 11th Revision (ICD-11) introduces a more comprehensive and flexible classification system, significantly enhancing the standardization of health data and the monitoring of diseases. This review examines the contributions of ICD-11 to public health surveillance, with a particular focus on infectious disease tracking, non-communicable disease (NCD) management, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance. By offering greater granularity in disease classification, more detailed coding of complications and comorbidities, and a dedicated section for AMR, ICD-11 enables more accurate and comprehensive data capture. Despite these advancements, the transition to ICD-11 presents notable challenges, including the need for extensive workforce training, infrastructure adaptation, and the development of user-friendly tools to support clinical documentation aligned with ICD-11's terminological structure. This review highlights both the potential benefits and practical barriers to ICD-11 implementation, aiming to inform future public health practices and facilitate a smooth transition to this updated classification system. • ICD-11 enhances infectious disease surveillance through detailed coding and real-time updates. • Improved classification of non-communicable diseases supports early detection, precision management, and resource allocation. • A dedicated section for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) enables accurate tracking of pathogen–drug resistance patterns. • Challenges of ICD-11 implementation include training gaps, resource constraints, and compatibility issues.