A Review of the Types and Characteristics of Healthy Life Expectancy and Methodological Issues

Abstract

An index that evaluates the health level of a population group considering both death and loss of function due to disease is called a summary measure of population health (SMPH). SMPHs are broadly divided into life year indices and life expectancy indices, the latter of which comprise healthy life expectancy (HLE). HLE is included as a policy target in various national and regional level healthcare plans, and the term “HLE” is commonly used in academia and by the public. However, the overall level of understanding of HLE—such as the precise definition of HLE and methods of calculating HLE—still seems to be low. As discussed in this study, the types of HLE are classified into disability-free life expectancy, disease-free life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy, self-rated HLE, and disability-adjusted life expectancy. Their characteristics are examined to facilitate a correct understanding and appropriate utilization of HLE. In addition, the Sullivan method, as a representative method for calculating HLE, is presented in detail, and major issues in the process of calculating HLE, such as selection of the population group and age group, estimation of death probability, calculation of life years, and incorporation of health weights, are reviewed. This study will help researchers to select an appropriate HLE type and evaluate the validity of HLE research results, and it is expected to contribute to the vitalization of HLE research.

Relevance Index Regional Variation by Each Disease and Its Essential Medical Field: A Retrospective Data Analysis From 2016-2020 in Korea

“…For example, a comparison of the age-standardized mortality rates among the 17 municipal and provincial regions (hereafter “17 regions”) shows no significant changes over time in the disparities between the regions showing the highest and lowest mortality rates. 1 Regarding the regional health inequalities for healthy life expectancy, differences between the regions showing the highest and lowest health-adjusted life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy, which are widely used measures of healthy life expectancy, 2 are 3.2 and 4.6 years, respectively. 3 4 Another study found that the regional disparity in health-adjusted life expectancy increased from 4.9 years in 2008 to 5.7 years in 2008.…”

Changing trends in health orientation among older adults: A scoping review

“…Therefore, interest in healthy life expectancy as a quality indicator of life has grown. Healthy life expectancy is defined as the average number of years that a person can expect to live at a certain level of health 43 . Recently, healthy life expectancy has been prolonging, 33,44 but the gap between average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (the period during which people need care for their daily lives) has not shortened 44 .…”

“…Healthy life expectancy is defined as the average number of years that a person can expect to live at a certain level of health. 43 Recently, healthy life expectancy has been prolonging, 33,44 but the gap between average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (the period during which people need care for their daily lives) has not shortened. 44 Older people enjoy life individually in various ways and their subjective well-being does not necessarily correspond to their need for daily care.…”

Evaluation of results and costs of high precision radiotherapy (VMAT) compared with conventional radiotherapy (3D) in the treatment of cancer patients with spinal cord compression of metastatic origin

“…The QALY is a measure of disease burden, including both the quality and the quantity of life lived (establishing the cost of a new drug, technology or a health care intervention). The QALY can be used to provide a value for these treatments or interventions that can be used for comparison between new and previously established treatments [ 11 ]. Therefore, the QALY allows us to turn the lock of a cost-benefit-analysis of medical interventions.…”