Healthy life years, abbreviated as HLY and also called disability-free life expectancy (DFLE), is defined as the number of years that a person is expected to continue to live in a healthy condition (i.e. without any activity limitation).
This statistical indicator is compiled separately for men and women, at birth and at ages 50 and 65. It is based on age-specific prevalence (proportions) of the population in healthy and unhealthy condition and age-specific mortality information. A healthy condition is defined as one without limitation in functioning and without disability.
The indicator is calculated following the widely used Sullivan method. It is based on measures of the age-specific proportion of population with and without disability and on mortality data. Its interest lies in its simplicity, the availability of its basic data, and its independence of the size and age structure of the population. However, cultural differences in reporting disability can influence the HLY indicator.
Further information
- Healthy life years (CODED - Concepts and Definitions Database)