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In medical statistics, incidence and prevalence are two key concepts used to measure the occurrence of disease in a population. Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a specified population over a defined period. Prevalence, on the other hand, refers to the total number of cases of a disease that exist in a population at a given point in time.
Conceptual Difference between Incidence and Prevalence
The key difference between incidence and prevalence is the time frame over which the measure is calculated. Incidence is calculated over a period of time, typically a year or a month, while prevalence is calculated at a specific point in time. This means that incidence is a measure of the speed at which a disease is spreading in a population, while prevalence is a measure of the overall burden of disease in a population.
Let us review the key terms to understand when studying incidence and prevalence
| Term | Definition | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Incidence | The number of new cases of a disease or condition in a specific population during a defined period. | Indicates the risk of developing the disease and is crucial for understanding and tracking the spread of diseases.... |
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