Description: Incidence refers to the occurrence of new cases of a disease or condition in a population during a specific period. This term is fundamental in the field of epidemiology, as it allows for measuring the frequency with which new cases of a disease arise in a given group. Incidence is generally expressed as a rate, which can be calculated by dividing the number of new cases by the at-risk population over a specific time, multiplied by a constant factor, such as 1,000 or 100,000, to facilitate data interpretation. It is important to distinguish between incidence and prevalence; while incidence focuses on new cases, prevalence includes all existing cases at a given moment. Measuring incidence is crucial for public health resource planning, evaluating interventions, and identifying trends in population health. Additionally, incidence can vary based on demographic, geographic, and temporal factors, making it a valuable tool for researchers and health policymakers.
