What is The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

(ICF)?

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, also known as ICF,
is a classification of the health components of functioning and disability. The World
Health Assembly on May 22nd, 2001, approved the International Classification of
Functioning, Disability and Health and its abbreviation of "ICF." This classification was
first created in 1980 and then called the International Classification of Impairments,
Disabilities, and Handicaps, or ICIDH by WHO to provide a unifying framework for
classifying the health components of functioning and disability. The World Health
Organization (WHO) published the International Classification of Functioning, Disability
and Health (ICF) in 2001 that covers;

Worms eye photography of five people - Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash.

 Activity
 Participation
 Body Structures
 Body Functions
 Personal Factors
 Health Conditions
 Activity Limitations
 Functional Limitations
 Environmental Factors
 Participation Restrictions

The ICF is structured around:

 Body functions and structure.

 Additional information on severity and environmental factors.
 Activities (related to tasks and actions by an individual) and participation
(involvement in a life situation).