The Burden of Disease in Los Angeles County: A Study of the Patterns of Morbidity and Mortality in the County Population

Publication Date: January 2000

Publisher: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Author(s): Los Angeles County (Calif.). Dept. of Health Services; UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Research Area: Health

Keywords: Los Angeles; disease; chronic conditions

Type: Report

Coverage: California

Abstract:

This report presents a new methodology for measuring the burden of disease and injury in populations. In so doing, the report advances our ability to understand the burden of ill health by incorporating the contributions of both premature death and disability. The analysis highlights the great disparities in health among the major racial and ethnic populations within Los Angeles and further highlights opportunities for targeted programs to reduce these disparities. Information from this report will be particularly helpful to public and private organizations with a public health mission. The information will cause us to reevaluate priorities and reallocate resources. The findings should also be very valuable to Service Planning Area and community-based planning efforts. Finally, the results give us a new benchmark to evaluate our future progress in achieving public health goals.