Indicators of health have been described and discussed

1. Indicators of health
MisbahFeroozKawoosa

2. Learning Objectives:
 At the end of the lesson, the students will be able
to:
1.Define the meaning of an indicator,
characterize an ideal indicator.
2. Classify and understand the uses of indicators.
3.Identify the different types of indicators such as
Mortality, Morbidity, Disability, Socio Economic
Indicators.
4.Understand Utilization Rates and Human
Development Index.

3. Contents
• Definition of indicator
• Characters of an ideal indicator
• Classification of indicators
• Uses of indicators
• Mortality indicators
• Morbidity indicators
• Disability indicators
• Nutritional status indicators
• Socio economic indicators
• Utilization rates
• Human development index

4. Introduction
 Health is defined as “a state of complete physical,
mental & social wellbeing, and not merely an
absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO)
 This statement has been amplified to include the
ability to lead a “socially and economically
productive life”
.

5. Definition of indicator
“A characteristic of an individual,
population or an environment which can be measured and used to
describe one or more aspects of the health of an individual or
population.”

6. Characteristics of ideal indicator
1 Should be valid i.e. they should actually measure what they
are supposed,
2 should be reliable and objective i.e. the answers should be
same if measured by different people in similar circumstances,
3 should be sensitive i.e. they should be sensitive to the
changes in the situation concerned ,
4 should be specific i.e. they should reflect changes only in
the situation concerned
5 should be feasible i.e. they should have the ability to obtain
data needed
6 should be relevant i.e. they should contribute to the
understanding of the phenomenon of interest .

7. Classification of indicators
Mortality
indicators
Morbidity
indicators
Disability
indicators
Nutritional
status
indicators
Health care
delivery
indicators
Utilization
rates
Indicators of
social and
mental health
Environmental
indicators
Socio
economic
indicators
Health policy
indicators
Indicators of
quality of life.

8. Summary
Health is not measured directly but using
indicators.
 Indicator should be valid, sensitive, specific,
reliable, relevant and feasible.
 Used in measuring, describing, comparing,
identifying health needs and planning and
evaluation of health services.
 No single comprehensive indicator of a
nation’s health
 Each available indicator reflects an aspect of
health.