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The total number of individuals who have an attribute or disease at a particular time or over a specified time period divided by the population at risk of having the attribute or disease at the midpoint of the time period. Prevalence is used to assess the burden of disease in a population.

An epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people. The COVID-19 outbreak reached pandemic status in March 2020 by WHO's declaration.

An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, an environmental exposure, or a hereditary characteristic that is associated with an increased occurrence of disease or other health-related event. Smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer.

Refers to having a disease or a symptom of disease, or to the amount of disease within a population. Morbidity rates are used in public health planning and to determine health care provision needs.

An increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area. Outbreak carries the same definition but is often used for a more limited geographic area. COVID-19 was classified as an epidemic before becoming pandemic.

The ratio of the odds of an event occurring in one group to the odds of it occurring in another group. The odds ratio is used in case-control studies to estimate the strength of the association between exposure and outcome.

An observational study design in which two groups differing in outcome are identified and compared on the basis of some supposed causal attribute. Case-Control studies are used to identify factors that may contribute to a medical condition by comparing subjects who have that condition (the 'cases') with patients who do not have the condition but are otherwise similar (the 'controls').

The constant presence and/or usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area. Endemic diseases are often considered as a baseline level of disease occurrence. Malaria is endemic in certain tropical areas.

The incidence of death in a population. Mortality rates are crucial for understanding the severity of diseases, guiding policy-making, and evaluating healthcare effectiveness.

A ratio of the probability of the event occurring in the exposed group versus a non-exposed group. The relative risk is calculated as $\frac{\text{Incidence in exposed group}}{\text{Incidence in non-exposed group}}$. It's used to determine the strength of an association between an exposure and a health outcome.

The number of new cases of a disease that occur in a specified population within a specified time period. Incidence is calculated by $\frac{\text{new cases during time period}}{\text{population at risk during time}}$. It helps in understanding the risk of contracting the disease within a population.

The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control health problems. In the context of a viral outbreak, epidemiologists would track the spread of the virus among different demographics.

A study that looks at data from a population at one specific point in time. The participants are selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the researchers. It reveals the prevalence of health outcomes or diseases at a certain point in time.

A type of longitudinal study that follows a group of people who do not have the disease, and uses comparisons between those who develop the disease and those who do not to identify possible causes. Cohort studies can be prospective or retrospective.

A study design that randomly assigns participants into an experimental group or a control group. As the study is conducted, the only expected difference between the control and experimental groups in an RCT is the outcome variable being studied. RCTs are considered the gold standard in clinical trials.

The search for disease or disease precursors in asymptomatic individuals so as to enable early diagnosis and management. Screening tests are an essential component of preventive healthcare.

The period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms. The incubation period can vary greatly among diseases and is important for disease control and management strategies.

The separation from others of infected individuals until they are no longer contagious. Isolation is a common practice to contain the spread of infectious diseases.

The proportion of individuals diagnosed with a certain disease who die from that disease within a specified time period. The CFR is expressed as a percentage and is important in assessing the severity of an outbreak.

The ability of a test to correctly identify those without the disease (true negative rate). Specificity is important to rule in diseases when testing individuals.

Measures that lead to early diagnosis and prompt treatment of a disease or injury to prevent more severe problems developing. Screening tests and medication to keep a disease, such as diabetes, from getting worse are examples of secondary prevention.

A beneficial effect, produced by a placebo drug or treatment, that cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself, and must therefore be due to the patient's belief in that treatment. The placebo effect emphasizes the importance of perception in health outcomes.

An infectious disease that has jumped from a non-human animal to humans. Zoonotic diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of a disease with a likely zoonotic origin.

A form of indirect protection from infectious diseases that occurs when a large percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, whether through vaccination or previous infections, thereby providing a measure of protection for individuals who are not immune.

The restriction of activities or separation from others of suspect persons who are not ill, to prevent the possible spread of the disease under investigation. Quarantine is often used during the incubation period of a communicable disease.

Systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others. Bias can affect the validity of scientific findings and is addressed through careful study design.

A graphical depiction of the number of cases of a disease by time of onset. It can help identify the mode of transmission, the time frame of exposure, and the period of contagion. It's a tool for understanding the dynamics of an outbreak.

The principle that everyone should have a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential, and that no one should be disadvantaged from achieving this potential. Health equity involves efforts to address inequalities and social determinants of health.

The ability of a test to correctly identify those with the disease (true positive rate). Sensitivity is critical for ruling out diseases in diagnostic procedures.

The percentage of people who become ill in a population after exposure to an infectious agent. Attack rate is a measure of the risk of getting sick and can be calculated as $\frac{\text{ill}}{\text{ill + well}} \times 100$ during an outbreak.

Measures aimed at rehabilitation following significant illness. Its goal is to improve the quality of life and reduce the symptoms of disease. Physical therapy for stroke victims and support groups for cancer patients are forms of tertiary prevention.

A type of bias that occurs when only the survivors of a particular process are observed or examined, while those who did not survive are not. This can lead to false conclusions, as the failures are not accounted for. In public health, it may affect how outcomes of diseases are analyzed.

A variable that is not of interest in a study but is associated with both the dependent and independent variables, potentially misleading the results. Adjusting for confounding variables is important in research design to ensure valid conclusions.

An organism that does not cause disease itself but which spreads infection by conveying pathogens from one host to another. Mosquitoes are common vectors for diseases such as malaria, Zika, and dengue.

A measure of the frequency with which an event, such as a new case of illness, occurs in a population over a period of time.

A study in which neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment. This method is used to guard against both experimenter bias and participant bias.

Any infection that is acquired in a hospital or healthcare setting. Nosocomial infections are also known as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and can be minimized by proper sanitation and preventive measures.

A process in which a patient or study participant is educated about the key facts regarding a medical intervention or a study, and then provides voluntary agreement to receive the treatment or participate in the study. Informed consent is critical in upholding ethical standards.

The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Health literacy is key in patient empowerment and engagement in health practices.

Conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that affect their health status. Social determinants include factors like socioeconomic status, education, and access to healthcare. Addressing social determinants is essential for health equity.