What term refers to the number of new cases of a disease?

The term that refers to the number of new cases of a disease is incidence. Incidence is a key epidemiological measure used to indicate the frequency of newly diagnosed cases within a specific population during a defined time period. It provides insight into the risk of contracting the disease and helps inform public health strategies and interventions.

In contrast, prevalence refers to the total number of cases—both new and pre-existing—of a disease in a population at a given time. Endemic relates to the constant presence of a disease within a specific geographic area or population. On the other hand, an epidemic describes a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease beyond what is normally expected in that population or area. Understanding the distinction between these terms is vital in epidemiology and public health, as they inform the assessment and response to health issues.