Health indicators turn health-related information into measures that can be tracked and compared. This lesson introduces the purpose of health indicators and the basic metrics used to describe population health.
A health indicator is a measurable or reportable piece of information used to describe health status. Providers can follow an individual's indicators over time—for example, blood pressure—to assess improvement or decline. Related measures can also describe the health of a whole population.
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Positive and negative health indicators
A positive indicator generally corresponds to better health when it rises; a negative indicator generally corresponds to worse health.
YLL and YLD
YLL measures premature mortality; YLD estimates healthy years lost because of illness or disability.
DALY
A measure of health loss that combines years lost to premature death and disability.
QALY
A measure combining length and quality of life, often used to summarize health gained.
Population health management
Using group-level data and coordinated action to improve health outcomes across a population.
Quiz questions
What does incidence measure in a population?Answer: New cases arising during a specified period.
Which method distinguishes the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)?Answer: It combines interviews with physical examinations.
What does life expectancy at birth estimate?Answer: The years a newborn would live if current age-specific mortality patterns continued.
What does health-related quality of life (HRQL) refer to?Answer: A person's perceived physical and mental well-being.
When evaluating a community health intervention, what should nurses do?Answer: Track relevant outcomes and revise the approach if needed.
Based on Population Health for Nurses by Jessica Ochs, Sherry L. Roper, Susan M. Schwartz (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.