Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which scenario illustrates a unit of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) effectively?

1. A person living to 100 years old

2. A father who dies early from a curable disease

3. A mother suffering from chronic illness

4. A teenager contracting a severe illness

The correct answer is: A father who dies early from a curable disease

Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are a measure used to assess the overall burden of disease and disability in a population. They represent the sum of years of life lost due to premature death and the years lived with disability. The scenario that illustrates a unit of DALYs effectively involves a father who dies early from a curable disease. This scenario is significant because it encapsulates the concept of premature mortality, which directly contributes to the calculation of DALYs. When an individual dies prematurely, it not only represents the loss of that person's life but also signifies the potential years of life that could have been lived if they had received proper treatment. A curable disease further emphasizes the preventability of that loss, underscoring the impact of health interventions on mortality and quality of life. In contrast, the other scenarios do not effectively illustrate the concept of DALYs. A person living to 100 years old suggests longevity without disability or disease, while a mother suffering from chronic illness and a teenager contracting a severe illness, although they involve health challenges, do not clearly highlight the aspect of premature death which is central to calculating DALYs. These scenarios may contribute to years lived with disabilities but do not capture the essence of years lost due to early mortality in