Abstract
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the burden of disease at the national level is crucial for understanding regional health patterns and epidemiological trends. Regular updates and methodological enhancements are essential to produce accurate estimates that effectively represent the current health landscape, thereby assisting policymakers in resource allocation and strategic planning. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study protocol is to revise the list of diseases and injuries; estimate years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in phase 1; and identify the list of risk factors and determine risk-attributable burdens in phase 2. METHODS: The Malaysian Burden of Disease (MBOD) Study adopts the Global Burden of Disease Study approach, using various metrics to quantify health loss related to specific diseases, injuries, and risk factors. These metrics include deaths, YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs, which are calculated in terms of counts, age-specific rates, and all-age rates. In addition, this MBOD Study calculates risk-attributable deaths, YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs for all relevant risk factors. This study also conducts focus group discussions to develop the lists of diseases and injuries as well as risk factors. RESULTS: By December 2024, we had successfully completed the focus group discussions, which led to the development of an updated and comprehensive list of diseases and injuries. Furthermore, mortality data collection is complete, and the calculation of YLLs is currently in progress. The YLD calculation is expected to conclude by the end of 2025. While phase 1 is underway, phase 2, which addresses risk factor estimation, is scheduled for completion in mid-2026. CONCLUSIONS: This MBOD Study offers a comprehensive and current framework for assessing the burden of disease in Malaysia, with continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the list of diseases and injuries and refine the methodology for more accurate estimation and risk factor analysis. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/71583.