The increasing significance of disease severity in a burden of disease framework

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Wyper, GMA (Author) Other; Assuncao, R (Author) Other; Fletcher, E (Author) Other; Gourley, M (Author) Other; Grant, I (Author) Other; Haagsma, JA (Author) Other; Hilderink, H (Author) Other; Idavain, J (Author) Other; Lesnik, T (Author) Other; von der Lippe, E (Author) Other; Majdan, M (Author) Other; Mccartney, G (Author) Other; Santric Milicevic, M (Author) Other; Pallari, E (Author) Other; Pires, SM (Author) Other; Plass, D (Author) Other; Porst, M (Author) Other; Santos, JV (Author) Other; Moro, MTD (Author) Other; Stockton, DL (Author) Other; Devleesschauwer, B (Author) Other

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Vol. 51

Pages: 296-300

ISSN: 1403-4948

Publisher: SAGE Journals

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-58F

DOI: 10.1177/14034948211024478

Abstract (EN): Recent estimates have reiterated that non-fatal causes of disease, such as low back pain, headaches and depressive disorders, are amongst the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). For these causes, the contribution of years lived with disability (YLD) - put simply, ill-health - is what drives DALYs, not mortality. Being able to monitor trends in YLD closely is particularly relevant for countries that sit high on the socio-demographic spectrum of development, as it contributes more than half of all DALYs. There is a paucity of data on how the population-level occurrence of disease is distributed according to severity, and as such, the majority of global and national efforts in monitoring YLD lack the ability to differentiate changes in severity across time and location. This raises uncertainties in interpreting these findings without triangulation with other relevant data sources. Our commentary aims to bring this issue to the forefront for users of burden of disease estimates, as its impact is often easily overlooked as part of the fundamental process of generating DALY estimates. Moreover, the wider health harms of the COVID-19 pandemic have underlined the likelihood of latent and delayed demand in accessing vital health and care services that will ultimately lead to exacerbated disease severity and health outcomes. This places increased importance on attempts to be able to differentiate by both the occurrence and severity of disease.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5