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Original Article
- Measuring Trends in Disability-adjusted Life Years and Life Expectancy in Korea: 2008 to 2021
- Chung-Nyun Kim, Dawit Urgi Gurmu, Young-Eun Kim, Yoon-Sun Jung, Yongseok Choi, Minsu Ock, Seok-Jun Yoon
- J Prev Med Public Health. 2026;59(1):25-34. Published online January 29, 2026
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.25.604
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Abstract
Summary
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Supplementary Material - Objectives
This study, part of the ongoing Korean National Burden of Disease (KNBD) updates, assesses disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and disability-adjusted life expectancy (DALE) in Korea, taking into account the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 and emphasizing the importance of analyzing these metrics jointly.
Methods
Data were obtained from Statistics Korea, the National Health Insurance Service, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. DALYs and DALE were calculated using an incidence-based approach, following disease classification, disability weights, and estimation procedures consistent with prior KNBD research.
Results
Compared with earlier estimates, DALYs showed a slight decline in 2020 followed by an increase in 2021, with this pattern observed across all income quintiles. For DALE, both men and women experienced modest gains relative to earlier studies; however, a decrease occurred across all income levels in 2021 compared with 2020. Regional disparities in DALE also narrowed beginning in 2020, with a more marked reduction among women.
Conclusions
Unlike previous studies, this research presents DALYs and DALE concurrently, offering a more comprehensive perspective on summary measures of population health. The post-2020 rise in DALYs underscores the growing need for effective chronic disease management. Additionally, widening income-based disparities in DALE highlight the urgency of addressing health inequities. Continued monitoring and updates of DALYs and DALE are necessary to understand and respond to these evolving trends. -
SummaryKorean summary
한국인의 질병부담과 건강수명을 2021년까지 추가적으로 측정하였다. 그 결과 2021년은 2020년에 비해 질병부담은 증가하였고 건강수명은 감소하였다.Key Message
The burden of disease and disability-adjusted life expectancy of Korea was measured through 2021. The results showed that the burden of disease increased and disability-adjusted life expectancy decreased, compared to 2020.
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