Skip to main content
UKCRC Health Research Classification System

Health Categories

The Health Categories dimension of the HRCS captures the area of health or disease being studied.

There are 21 separate categories which encompass all diseases, conditions and areas of health. Each of the Health Categories includes research into both disease and normal function.

e.g. studies of normal hepatic function and studies of liver cirrhosis will both be classified in the Oral and Gastrointestinal category.

Of the 21 categories, 19 refer to specific areas of health or disease. The Generic Health Relevance category has been included to capture research that is relevant to all diseases and conditions or to general health and well-being. The Disputed Aetiology and Other category is included to code research that does not fit within the Generic Health Relevance category or the 19 health specific categories.

For more advice, see our General Approach to Coding and Assigning Health Categories pages.

The Health Categories are based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes which cover all areas of disease and ill health.

Summary of health categories

Top