COPD has a substantial impact on both individuals and the community.
Using the 'burden of disease' approach, the impact of COPD on the Australian community can be measured as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) (AIHW: Begg et al. 2007). The DALY describes the number of years of 'healthy life' lost due to disability (YLD) and premature death (YLL). One DALY represents one lost year of healthy life.
In Australia in 2003, compared with all other health conditions, COPD was the sixth leading cause of male burden and the seventh leading cause of female burden of disease (AIHW: Begg et al. 2007).
Just under half (39,543; 45.6%%) of DALYs due to COPD arise from years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLD) and a little over half arise from years of life lost due to premature death (YLL).
Burden of disease due to COPD, 2003
| Condition |
Years lived with disability (YLD) |
|
Years of life lost due to premature death (YLL) |
|
Number of years of healthy life lost due to disability or premature death (DALYs) |
| Number |
Per cent |
Number |
Per cent |
Number |
Per cent |
| COPD |
39,543 |
45.6 |
|
47,208 |
54.4 |
|
86,751 |
100 |
Source: AIHW: Begg et al. 2007.
Reference
AIHW: Begg S, Vos T, Barker B, Stevenson C, Stanley L & Lopez A 2007. The burden of disease and injury in Australia 2003. Cat. no. PHE 82. Canberra: AIHW.