Burden of disease: overview

The Scottish Burden of Disease (SBoD) study is a national, and local, population health surveillance system which monitors how diseases, injuries and risk factors prevent the Scottish population from living longer lives in better health. 

SBoD standardises estimates of ill-health and early death in a composite measure called Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), also referred to as health loss. It does this by framing ill-health and premature mortality in terms of health loss as a function of time. Further information on SBoD methodology can found in our ‘Why burden of disease?’ section.

Recent publications (04 June 2024) 

Why burden of disease?

Insights into the Scottish Burden of Disease methodology

National burden of disease and inequalities

What is impacting on the Scottish population's ability to live longer lives in better health? 

Sub-national burden of disease 

What is impacting local populations from living longer lives in better health?

Future burden of disease

Exploring future burden of disease trends and scenarios

COVID-19 burden of disease

Explore our work on the direct impact of COVID-19 infection

European burden of disease network

Learn about our work to support the integration and development of national burden of disease studies

 

To find out more, or if you would like to receive updates on the study and have the chance to participate in further developing it, please contact the SBoD study team at phs.sbod-team@phs.scot.