The direct disease burden of COVID-19 in Belgium in 2020 and 2021

Abstract Background Burden of disease estimates have become important population health metrics over the past decade to measure losses in health. In Belgium, the disease burden caused by COVID-19 has not yet been estimated, although COVID-19 has emerged as one of the most important diseases. Therefore, the current study aims to estimate the direct COVID-19 burden in Belgium, observed despite policy interventions, during 2020 and 2021, and compare it to the burden from other causes. Methods Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are the sum of Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) and Years of Lif... Mehr ...