What does incidence measure in relation to disease?

The concept of incidence specifically measures the number of newly diagnosed cases of a disease within a defined population over a specific time period. This metric is crucial for understanding the rate at which new cases are occurring and provides valuable insight into the dynamics of disease spread or emergence within a community or population.

For instance, in oncology, tracking the incidence of cancer can help public health officials and researchers identify trends, allocate resources for screening and prevention, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of the disease.

By focusing on newly diagnosed cases, incidence distinguishes itself from prevalence, which encompasses all cases—new and existing—at a given time. This distinction is essential for effectively assessing and responding to the burden of disease in a population.