Chapter 8. Sex Codes
ISO 5218 sets up a simple list of single-digit numeric codes for human sexes. The four codes are:
* 0 = not known
* 1 = male
* 2 = female
* 9 = not applicable. This means a “lawful person” such as a corporation, organization, government and so forth.
It is referenced by the term “sex” and not “gender” in data processing. This standard is embedded in several national identification numbers.
8.1. Sex Codes
Notice that the ISO system is a legal encoding and not a medical or biological one. There are other standards for this, which are “more medical” than the ISO model.
▪ CDC = Center for Disease Control
▪ NETSS & NCHS & ECML & NCVHS & JC3IEDM & ICAO
▪ NAACCR = North American Association of Central Cancer Registries
| Code | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1 | Male |
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