The Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) for a condition is calculated as the sum of Years of Life Lost (YLL) and Years Lived with Disability (YLD). If a disease kills 1,000 people at a mean age of 45 (life expectancy 75 years) and causes 2,000 people to live with 50% disability for 10 years each, what is the total DALY burden?

• A 30,000 DALYs
• B 40,000 DALYs ✓
• C 50,000 DALYs
• D 20,000 DALYs

Explanation

YLL = number of deaths × (life expectancy − age at death) = 1,000 × (75−45) = 1,000 × 30 = 30,000 YLL. YLD = number of prevalent cases × disability weight × duration = 2,000 × 0.5 × 10 = 10,000 YLD. Total DALYs = YLL + YLD = 30,000 + 10,000 = 40,000 DALYs. This calculation uses the simplified non-discounted, non-age-weighted DALY formula as used in modern GBD studies (discounting and age-weighting were dropped in GBD 2010 onwards). Option B (40,000) is correct.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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