Publication

Methods to measure the burden of disease (BOD) on populations have been applied for decades, but have only received increasing attention in the past twenty years. During this period of time, a number of concerns have been raised with the use of summary measures of population health. Seven BOD studies funded by the Global Forum for Health Research were reviewed to summarize the lessons learned during the process of BOD studies and to reflect on aspects that can be improved. Key methods and results of these studies are summarized and compared. The overall strengths and challenges of these exercises are then discussed, with special emphasis given to questions encountered in developing countries.