The value of the change in health in Sweden 1980/81 to 1996/97

The study aimed to estimate the value of the change in health in Sweden 1980/81 to 1996/97. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for men and women at specific ages were estimated for 1980/81, 1988/89 and 1996/97, by combining survival rates and health state scores. Data from the Swedish Survey of Living Conditions (n = 39966) were used to estimate age-specific health state scores. Responses to selected survey questions were mapped into the EQ-5D measure. using the UK EQ-5D index tariff to derive health state scores. The monetary value of a QALY was assumed to be $100000. Life expectancy for infants increased by 3.68 years for males and 2.70 years for females between 1980/81 and 1996/97. Average health status decreased in younger age groups whereas it increased in older age groups. Expected QALYs for infants increased by 2.64 for males and 0.54 for females. With 3% discounting the gain was 0.11 QALYs ($11000) among males and a loss by 0.58 QALYs ($58000) among females. The corresponding gain in discounted QALYs for a 75-year-old was 1.15 ($115000) and 0.80 ($80000), respectively. It is concluded that older persons have experienced considerable health gains whereas the health gains have been small or non-existent for younger women. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.