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The European Journal of Health Economics
Published in: The European Journal of Health Economics 3/2003

01-09-2003 | Original Papers

Time to disable DALYs?

On the use of disability-adjusted life-years in health policy

Author: Carl Hampus Lyttkens

Published in: The European Journal of Health Economics | Issue 3/2003

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Abstract

The concept of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) has rapidly gained in popularity in health policy, and considerable research resources are being allocated to this field. Proponents of DALYs suggest that the measure can be used both as a "gross domestic product of health" and to help in setting priorities in health policy. This study investigates the usefulness of DALYs and contends that DALYs, as the measure is currently understood, cannot be used for either of these two purposes. The DALYs procedure does not produce a useful measure of population health, and its use in priority setting is ethically questionable.
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Metadata
Title
Time to disable DALYs?
On the use of disability-adjusted life-years in health policy
Author
Carl Hampus Lyttkens
Publication date
01-09-2003
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
The European Journal of Health Economics / Issue 3/2003
Print ISSN: 1618-7598
Electronic ISSN: 1618-7601
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-003-0169-2

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