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The relative value of different QALY types

Emily Lancsar, Yuanyuan Gu, Dorte Gyrd-Hansen, Jim Butler, Julie Ratcliffe, Liliana Bulfone and Cam Donaldson

Journal of Health Economics, 2020, vol. 70, issue C

Abstract: The oft-applied assumption in the use of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) in economic evaluation, that all QALYs are valued equally, has been questioned from the outset. The literature has focused on differential values of a QALY based on equity considerations such as the characteristics of the beneficiaries of the QALYs. However, a key characteristic which may affect the value of a QALY is the type of QALY itself. QALY gains can be generated purely by gains in survival, purely by improvements in quality of life, or by changes in both. Using a discrete choice experiment and a new methodological approach to the derivation of relative weights, we undertake the first direct and systematic exploration of the relative weight accorded different QALY types and do so in the presence of equity considerations; age and severity. Results provide new evidence against the normative starting point that all QALYs are valued equally.

Keywords: QALYs; QALY types; Relative weights; Priority setting; Equity; Discrete choice experiments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C35 I1 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:70:y:2020:i:c:s0167629618309573

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2020.102303

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Journal of Health Economics is currently edited by J. P. Newhouse, A. J. Culyer, R. Frank, K. Claxton and T. McGuire

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