Prioritization of Foodborne Disease Using Disability Adjusted Life Years

The Canadian population faces the threat of illness and death from contaminated food sources. Determining which foodborne disease results in the greatest negative health impact can be used to mitigate illness through effective resource allocation. Esherichia coli O157:H7, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and ochratoxin A (OTA) were evaluated for a set of foods that are commonly associated with foodborne disease. Risk assessment methodology and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) were used to quantify the health impacts using FDA-iRisk v 1.3 software. Analysis of the results indicated an overestimation of health impacts for the hazard-food combinations; however, the models were used to evaluate the hazards and foods on a relative basis. The models could be improved with more information related to foodborne contamination as is discussed in this thesis.