Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) are calculated as the sum of Years of Life Lost (YLL) and Years Lived with Disability (YLD). A disease kills 1000 people at an average age of 40 years in a country where standard life expectancy is 80 years. What is the YLL for this disease?

• A 80,000 DALYs
• B 40,000 DALYs ✓
• C 1,000 DALYs
• D 20,000 DALYs

Explanation

YLL = N (number of deaths) × L (years of life lost per death) = 1000 × (80 − 40) = 1000 × 40 = 40,000. YLD requires the number living with the disease, disability weight, and duration. Total DALY = YLL + YLD. A high YLL indicates premature mortality, while high YLD indicates disabling disease; both contribute to disease burden.

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

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