“Too Young to Die?” – How valuable is it to extend lives of different ages?

Abstract

Michelle Hutchinson discusses the ethical considerations and practical implications of prioritizing health interventions to extend the lives of younger versus older adults. She argues that while traditional metrics like QALYs and DALYs treat all healthy years equally, most people’s intuitions suggest prioritizing younger lives. Hutchinson explores various moral principles, such as egalitarianism and the concept of a “fair innings,” but finds them lacking. Empirical observations indicate that younger adults are economically more productive and healthier longer, which might justify prioritizing them in healthcare policies. Hutchinson emphasizes that understanding why we hold these intuitions is crucial for informed and fair health resource allocation. – AI-generated abstract.