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.

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.