The quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) metrics are similar, but take into account whether the person was healthy after diagnosis. In addition to the number of years lost due to premature death, these measurements add part of the years lost to being sick. Unlike YPLL, these measurements show the burden imposed on people who are very sick, but who live a normal lifespan. A disease that has high morbidity, but low mortality, has a high DALY and a low YPLL. In 2004, the World Health Organization calculated that 1.5 billion disability-adjusted life years were lost to disease and injury.[26] In the developed world, heart disease and stroke cause the most loss of life, but neuropsychiatric conditions like major depressive disorder cause the most years lost to being sick.
Reference 1: Infectious and parasitic diseases, especially lower respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, Neuropsychiatric conditions, e.g. depression, Injuries, especially motor vehicle accidents, Cardiovascular diseases, principally heart attacks and stroke, Premature birth and other perinatal deaths and Cancer.
Reference 2: Percent of all YPLLs lost, worldwide[26], Percent of all DALYs lost, worldwide[26], Percent of all YPLLs lost, Europe[26], Percent of all DALYs lost, Europe[26], Percent of all YPLLs lost, US and Canada[26] and Percent of all DALYs lost, US and Canada[26].
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease
Reference 2: Percent of all YPLLs lost, worldwide[26], Percent of all DALYs lost, worldwide[26], Percent of all YPLLs lost, Europe[26], Percent of all DALYs lost, Europe[26], Percent of all YPLLs lost, US and Canada[26] and Percent of all DALYs lost, US and Canada[26].
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease
