leading indicator

Definitions

Accounting

  • noun an indicator such as manufacturing order books which shows a change in economic trends earlier than other indicators.

Health Economics

  • (written as Leading Indicator)
    A leading indicator is a quantitative or qualitative measure of an entity or activity whose changes anticipate changes in a dependent variable. For example, having effectively functioning health and safety committees in businesses may be a leading indicator of (lower) future workplace accidents.
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