Are general population data suitable for approximating baseline utility values in economic models?

The incremental cost per quality adjusted life year is calculated by summing the benefits accrued from avoiding or alleviating a particular event or health condition. Consequently the baseline or counterfactual utilities, i.e. the utility associated with not having the specific event or condition, are as important as the utilities experienced when having the event or health condition. It has been suggested that data from the general population could be used as proxy scores for the baseline.