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Glossary
The glossary explains some of the words used across this website and covers some key cancer and research terms, which primarily focus on lung cancer.
Decision aid
A communication tool that helps people become more involved in decision-making around their health by providing an overview of the potential benefits and harms of an intervention. Decision aids can be leaflets, information packs or multimedia resources.1-3
See also ‘Shared decision-making’
Determinant (of health)
The factors that affect the health of individuals and communities. These include: the social and economic environment, the physical environment, and a person’s individual characteristics and behaviours.4
Disability-adjusted life year (DALY)
A standardised measure used to statistically describe the burden of disease in a population. One DALY represents the loss of one year of perfect health; the total number of DALYs in a population will increase with the total number of years of life lost to due to premature mortality and years lived with a disability due to a disease that is being measured.5
See also ‘Cost-effectiveness analysis’, ‘Morbidity’ and ‘Quality-adjusted life year’
Disparity
Preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, and/or opportunities to achieve good health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations.6
References
Sands J, Tammemägi MC, Couraud S, et al. 2021. Lung screening benefits and challenges: a review of the data and outline for implementation. J Thorac Oncol 16(1): 37-53
Politi MC, Studts JL, Hayslip JW. 2012. Shared decision making in oncology practice: what do oncologists need to know? The oncologist 17(1): 91-100
Kauczor HU, Baird AM, Blum TG, et al. 2020. ESR/ERS statement paper on lung cancer screening. European Radiology 30(6): 3277-94
World Health Organisation. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Available from: https://www.who.int/data/gho/indicator-metadata-registry/imr-details/158 [Accessed 12/04/22]
World Health Organization. 2017. Determinants of health. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/determinants-of-health [Accessed 03/08/2023]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023. Health Disparities. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/disparities/index.htm [Accessed 04/08/2023]