Disability-Adjusted Life Year
A Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) is a measure used to assess the overall burden of disease and health conditions. It combines the years of life lost due to premature death and the years lived with disability, providing a comprehensive view of health impacts on populations. One DALY represents one lost year of healthy life.
DALYs are useful for public health planning and resource allocation, helping policymakers understand the effectiveness of health interventions. By quantifying the impact of various diseases, such as HIV/AIDS or diabetes, DALYs guide efforts to improve health outcomes and prioritize healthcare services.