Objectives: To estimate quality of life weights in Spain for 1987, 1993 and 2001, based on self-assessed health status reported in the National Health Survey.
Material and methods: Quality of life weights were estimated using an ordered probit model. In this model, self-assessed health status was related to the presence of chronic diseases, demographic characteristics, and a random error. Quality of life weights were derived by normalizing the regressors obtained.
Results: Quality of life values related to chronic diseases varied depending on the diseases. Pain, limitations, and diseases in the previous 12 months had a greater negative impact on quality of life than did chronic diseases. Quality of life decreased as age increased, and increased as educational level increased. For the same disease and adjusted for age, sex, and educational level, quality of life weights were greater for 1993 and 2001 than for 1987.
Conclusions: The proposed methodology allows quality of life weights to be calculated from health survey data, which has direct application in economic assessment, analysis of socioeconomic health inequalities, and health capital estimation.