Evidence-based health policy--lessons from the Global Burden of Disease Study
Murray, C.J.; Lopez, A.D.
Science 274(5288): 740-743
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 8966556 Document Number: 465088
A major effort to foster an independent, evidence-based approach to public health policy formulation is the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD), which was initiated in 1992 at the request of the World Bank. The study, which is based on the collaboration of over 100 scientists from more than 20 countries, had four particular objectives. It aimed to develop internally consistent estimates of mortality from 107 major causes of death for the world and eight geographic regions; to develop internally consistent estimates of the incidence, prevalence, duration, and case-fatality for 483 disabling sequelae resulting from these causes; to estimate the fraction of mortality and disability attributable to ten major risk factors; and to develop protection scenarios of mortality and disability. Selected findings of the GBD are discussed.