In thinking about health policy it is important that medical students and doctors understand certain important concepts. To that end I would like to introduce our first important concept: the quality-adjusted-life-year or QALY.
* While not currently used in the United States, the QALY is a concept that often comes up when discussing how best to achieve coverage for all. NOTE: QALY's are currently used as an attempt to control cost in some countries with universal health care.
What is a QALY?
"Quality adjusted life year (QALY): A year of life adjusted for its quality or its value. A year in perfect health is considered equal to 1.0 QALY. The value of a year in ill health would be discounted. For example, a year bedridden might have a value equal to 0.5 QALY."
MedicineNet.com
For more information on QALY's see the links below:
What is a QUALY?
This article gives a somewhat in depth definition of what exactly a QALY is and how it can be used in health policy decision making. It also includes examples of how QALY's are implemented in the UK as part of the decision making process for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence(NICE).
Pricing Human Life(-Years)
An interesting look at the challenge(and necessity) of putting a price on human life and health by prominent American health economist Uwe E Reinhardt.
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