Methods for complex evaluation of the population health in relation to environmental factors based on use of integral indices. Descriptive review (Report 2)

This paper presents the second part of descriptive reviews on methodological tools for the comprehensive assessment of public health, focusing on index-based indicators and measures of population health burden and health-related quality of life. The manuscript is centered on instruments for assessing health losses and the multidimensional evaluation of health determinants, continuing the analysis of metrics of achieved health status.

The purpose of the study is to describe the principles of construction, methodological features, fields of application, advantages, and limitations of integral indicators focused on the assessment of disease burden (DALY, QALY) and multidimensional composite indices.

The analysis of the scientific literature was conducted using the method of «snowball» based on scientific articles indexed in bibliographic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed. Priority was given to conceptually foundational documents describing the methodology for indicator development. In addition, reviews and reports from international organizations (WHO, OECD, UN) were analyzed.

DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) was shown to be «gold standard» for monitoring inequalities and gaps in population health status, with identification of the most significant risk factors. QALY (Quality-Adjusted Life Years), based on subjective health state utility assessments, enables comparison of the effectiveness of heterogeneous medical technologies within pharmacoeconomic evaluations. Composite indices, such as the Human Development Index and the English Health Index provide a comprehensive cross-sectoral and interagency assessment by integrating social, economic, and environmental determinants into a single metric.

Research limitations. The review is narrative (descriptive), without strict systematization search strategy by study type, publication date, or source.

Conclusion. The choice of a specific assessment tool should be determined by the research objectives, the availability and quality of input data, and the required level of detail for supporting decision-making, including in the field of sanitary and epidemiological well-being.

Contribution of the authors:
Glukhikh M.V., Ukhabov V.М. — editing, writing the text, approval of the final version of the article;
Onishchenko G.G. — study concept and design, editing, approval of the final version of the article;
Klein S.D. — editing, writing the text, approval of the final version of the article, collection and processing material, writing the text.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of its final version.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: February 12, 2026 / Accepted: February 19, 2026 / Published: April 30, 2026

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