Computer Gambling Addiction and Co New Classification of Diseases Posted

World Health Organization publishes ICD-11

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is the basis for the classification of diseases and disease statistics worldwide. The ICD is published by the World Health Organization (WHO). Recently, WHO released the current ICD-11 version, which includes around 55,000 unique codes for injuries, illnesses and causes of death. For the first time, the controversial computer gambling addiction is officially recognized.

ICS provides the foundation on which health professionals worldwide can share information. It will be presented for adoption by the Member States at the World Health Assembly in May 2019 and will then enter into force on 1 January 2022. Over a decade, the classification model has been developed and now offers significant improvements over previous versions. Improvements include complete digitization and a more user-friendly format.

The new ICD-11 Classification of Diseases was recently published by the World Health Organization and is scheduled to enter into force in 2022. (Image: M. Schuppich / fotolia.com)

ICD provides important health data and research stimuli

"ICD is a product that WHO is really proud of," WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a WHO press release. It makes it possible to understand more about what makes people sick and what causes them to die. This will allow more effective measures to be taken to prevent these ailments and save lives, said the Director-General.

Strong participation

The development involved health workers from 31 countries. The ICD-11 will be significantly larger in size. While the ICD-10 was still limited to 14,400 codes, the ICD-11 will be close to 55,000. Even though the new classification will only enter into force in 2022, the current publication should help to ensure that the healthcare sector in the respective countries can adapt to it.

New content

A whole range of new areas will now be covered by the ICD. One example is traditional medicine, which is used by millions of people but is currently unrecognized. There is also a new chapter on sexual health that was previously listed in part as mental illness. In the addiction section, much-discussed video game addiction was classified as a mental illness.

Better user guidance

"A key principle in this revision was the simplification of the coding structure and ease of use," explains Dr. Robert Jakob, who is responsible for the classifications and terminologies. This will allow health professionals to better and more fully grasp conditions.

Cornerstone of health information

"ICD is a cornerstone of health information, and ICD-11 will provide an up-to-date overview of disease patterns," adds Dr. Lubna Alansari, Deputy Director-General for Health Metrology at WHO.

Criticism of video game addiction

Some health experts, social scientists and researchers from research centers and universities, including Oxford University, are concerned about the introduction of video game addiction. According to these expert opinions, the therapeutic, pedagogical and recreational value of games is secured and largely recognized, as stated in an official statement. According to ICD-11, someone is considered video game dependent if

• There is no control over the duration, frequency and intensity of video games,
• the games have a higher priority than all other vital interests and daily activities,
• Negative consequences can be accepted by playing.

(Vb)