ICECAP-A (ICEpop CAPability measure for Adults)
ICECAP-A is a tool that measures how well adults are able to live fulfilling lives, focusing on aspects like feeling loved, being stable, having independence, achieving goals, and enjoying life. It is used to assess well-being beyond just health, especially in economic evaluations.
At a glance
Use when
Evaluating interventions where impacts on quality of life extend beyond health, such as social care, public health, or housing policies.
Avoid when
When a strictly clinical or disease-specific outcome measure is required, or when working in non-UK settings without local valuation data.
Inputs
Responses to the ICECAP-A questionnaire (5 attributes with 4 levels each), collected via best-worst scaling or direct valuation methods.
Outputs
A summary score representing capability well-being, weighted using a population tariff derived from preference data; suitable for use in cost-utility analyses.
How it works
The ICECAP-A instrument measures capability well-being across five attributes: attachment, stability, autonomy, achievement, and enjoyment. Each attribute has four levels. A UK general population tariff was derived using best-worst scaling (BWS) data from 413 individuals. Scale-adjusted latent class models were applied to account for preference and scale heterogeneity. The resulting tariff allows the calculation of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) based on capability well-being, applicable in health and broader public policy contexts.
- HTA domains
- Patient and Social Aspects
- Categories
- HRQoL
- Assumptions
- Individuals can meaningfully express preferences over capability states; the five attributes comprehensively capture key aspects of adult well-being; population weights reflect societal values.
- Strengths
- Captures well-being beyond health, including social and emotional aspects,Based on general population preferences, enhancing applicability in public policy,Validated using robust preference elicitation (best-worst scaling) and statistical modeling
- Limitations
- Limited ability to characterize preference and scale heterogeneity in the population,Cultural specificity of the tariff (UK-based), limiting generalizability,May not capture all dimensions of well-being relevant in clinical or non-Western settings
- Also known as
- ICECAP-A, ICEpop CAPability measure for Adults
Questions this answers
- › How does a health intervention affect an individual's ability to live a fulfilling life?
- › What is the impact of public policies on non-health aspects of well-being?
- › How can capability well-being be quantified for use in economic evaluation?
- › Which aspects of capability do people value most in adulthood?
- › How do differences in capability levels influence overall well-being?
- › Can well-being outcomes be measured beyond traditional health metrics?
References & sources
Similar by meaning
Beta record. Based on the original catalogue summary; primary-source enrichment pending.