Health status indicators, p.t. 2 (AOS_1)

Question 1

define mortality and what are its pros/cons

Answer 1

• the number of deaths in a population in a given period
• mortality data allows for trends to be identified
• trend guide funding and development of health strategies

Question 2

mortality rate

Answer 2

• the measure of the proportion of a population who die in a one-year period (usually per 100 000)

Question 3

infant mortality rate and its pros/cons

Answer 3

• measures the rate of deaths in infants before their first birthday, usually expressed per 1000 live births
• key indicator of general health of a population, social and economic resources available, and exploring causes of death help improve those conditions

Question 4

under-five mortality rate (U5MR)

Answer 4

• measures the number of children that die before their fifth birthday, usually expressed per 1000 live births

Question 5

maternal mortality ratio

Answer 5

• the number of mothers who die as a result of pregnancy, childbirth or associated treatment per 100 000 live births

Question 6

maternal mortality

Answer 6

• death of a mother during pregnancy, childbirth or within six weeks of delivery

Question 7

burden of disease

Answer 7

• a measure of the impact of diseases and injuries, specifically it measures the gap between current health status and an ideal situation where everyone lives to an old age free of disease and disability

Question 8

disability-adjusted life year (DALY)

Answer 8

• a measure of burden of disease
• calculated by adding YLL and YLD
• useful for comparing groups provides valuable info about trends and info on where intervention is needed

Question 9

years of life lost (YLL)

Answer 9

• a measure of how many years of expected life are lost due to premature death

Question 10

years lost due to disability (YLD)

Answer 10

• a measure of how many healthy years of life are lost due to disease

Question 11

equation for burden of disease

Answer 11

YLL + YLD = BOD