12 HHD Chapter 1

An indication of how long a person can expect to live; it is the number of years of life remaining to a person if death rates do not change.

A measure of the burden of disease based on life expectancy at birth, but including an adjustment for time spent in poor health. It is the number of years in full health that a person can expect to live, based on current rates of ill health and mortality.

A measure of the impact of diseases and injuries, specifically it measures the gap between current health status and an ideal situation where everyone lives to an old age free of disease and disability. Burden of disease is measured in a unit called the DALY

'A complete state of physical, social and mental wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.' (WHO,1946)

'An individual's or a population's overall health, taking into account various aspects such as life expectancy, amount of disability and levels of disease risk factors.' (AIHW,2008

A measure of burden of disease, one DALY equals one year of healthy life lost due to premature death and time lived with illness, disease or injury.

The rate of deaths occurring in children under 5 years of age per 1000 live births.

Death in an individual or the level of death in a population or group

Refers to ill-health in an individual and the levels of ill-health in a population or group

The number of new cases of a condition during a given period of time.

'The number or proportion of cases of a particular disease or condition present in a population at a given time.'(AIHW, 2008)

Being able to interact with others and participate in the community in both an independent and cooperative way.

'State of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities can cope with the normal stresses of life can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.' (WHO, 2009)

Relates to the efficient functioning of the body and its systems, and includes the physical capacity to perform tasks and physical fitness

'Factors that raise or lower a level of health in a population or individual. Determinants of health help to explain or predict trends in health and why some groups have better or worse health than others.' Determinants can be classified in many ways such as biological, behavioural and social. (AIHW, 2006)

Factors relating to the body that impact on health, such as genetics, hormones, body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, birth weight

Actions or patterns of living of an individual or a group that impact on health, such as smoking, sexual activity, participation in physical activity, eating practices.

Aspects of society and the social environment that impact on health, such as poverty, early life experiences, social networks and support.