HP CHO -9 October 2022
Community Health Nursing
Easy

Sullivan Index is:

Appeared in: HP CHO -9 October 2022

Explanation

  • The Sullivan Index is specifically defined as 'Life expectancy free of disability'.
  • It is also known by other names, including Disability-Free Life Expectancy (DFLE) and Active Life Expectancy.
  • This index measures the average number of years an individual is expected to live without any significant disability, focusing on functional health and quality of life.
  • It is calculated by taking the total life expectancy and subtracting the average number of years a person is expected to live with a disability.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: This is incorrect because the Sullivan Index focuses on functional ability (disability) rather than the mere absence of a diagnosed disease. A person can have a chronic disease but not be disabled in their daily activities.
  • Option B: This is the definition of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY). DALYs measure the burden of disease by quantifying the number of healthy years lost, which is conceptually opposite to the Sullivan Index that measures years lived without disability.
  • Option D: This describes 'Years Lived with Disability' (YLD), which is a component used to calculate DALYs. It represents the duration of disability but is not a measure of life expectancy free from it.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition and application of the Sullivan Index as a public health indicator as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Community health nurses and public health officials use the Sullivan Index to assess the overall health and quality of life of a population, moving beyond simple mortality rates.
  • A high Sullivan Index in a community suggests effective public health interventions, good access to healthcare, and a healthy environment that promotes active aging.
  • This data helps in planning services for the elderly, allocating resources for chronic disease management, and advocating for policies that improve functional independence.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core term in the question, which is 'Sullivan Index'.
  • This is a factual recall question from Community Health Nursing/Preventive and Social Medicine. Access your knowledge about key public health indicators.
  • Analyze the options. Notice they all relate to life expectancy, health, and disability. Your task is to find the precise definition.
  • Differentiate the Sullivan Index from similar-sounding terms. Recall that 'DALY' measures years lost (a negative indicator), while the Sullivan Index measures years lived free of disability (a positive indicator).
  • Eliminate options that define other metrics (like DALY and YLD).
  • Select the option that accurately defines the Sullivan Index as the period of life expectancy without disability.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Definition and application of the Sullivan Index as a public health indicator.
  • Stem keywords: Sullivan Index
  • Lead-in keywords: is
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QsfZvGBwAcFAmWYBfPUnGu

Reference Book

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 11-13

Practise the full HP CHO -9 October 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.