Summary
Health indicators are quantifiable characteristics of a population which researchers use as supporting evidence for describing the health of a population. Typically, researchers will use a survey methodology to gather information about a population sample, use statistics in an attempt to generalize the information collected to the entire population, and then use the statistical analysis to make a statement about the health of the population. Health indicators are often used by governments to guide health care policy or to make goals for improving population health. A health indicator which will be used internationally to describe global health should have the following characteristics: It should be defined in such a way that it can be measured uniformly internationally. It must have statistical validity. The indicator must be data which can feasibly be collected in a reasonable amount of time. The analysis of the data must result in a recommendation on which people can make changes to improve health This is not a comprehensive list of health indicators. Life expectancy at birth Number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality trends. Infant mortality rate Number of infant deaths (children under 1 year) per 1,000 live births in a year. Neonatal mortality rate Number of newborn deaths (children under 28 days) per 1,000 births in a year. Maternal mortality ratio Number of women who die due to pregnancy or birth complications per 100,000 births in a year. Mortality from cardiovascular diseases Cancer incidence Diabetes incidence Depression incidence Disability adjusted life years (DALY) A measurement of premature death or lower quality of life due to disability. Activities of daily living (ADL) A measurement of ability to self-sustain based on ability to perform daily activities such as dressing, feeding, and grooming. Alcohol consumption Smoking in adults Physical exercise habits Condom use Obesity rate Asthma rate High blood pressure rate Air pollution levels Exclusive breastfeeding rate Number of mothers who only feed their infants breast milk for the first 6 months of life per a unit of measurement.
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