This study presents evidence of a statistically negative relationship between the density of health workers
(especially physicians) and the DALYs. An increase of one unit in the density of health workers per 1000 will
decrease, on average, the total burden of disease between 1% and 3%. However, in line with previous findings in
the literature, the density of nurses and midwives could not be said to be statistically associated to DALYs.
Conclusions:
If countries increase their health worker density, they will be able to reduce significantly their burden
of disease, especially the burden associated to communicable diseases. This study represents supporting evidence
of the importance of health workers for health.