Epidemiology Practice Test

Prevalence is defined as the?

The rate of disease mortality The number of existing cases of a disease or health condition in a population at a designated time The number of new cases during a time period The proportion of people with a given risk factor

Correct Answer:

The number of existing cases of a disease or health condition in a population at a designated time

Explanation:

Prevalence measures the burden of disease in a population at a specific moment. It is the number of existing cases of a disease or health condition in a population at a designated time. This distinguishes it from incidence, which counts new cases that develop over a period. The statement that refers to the number of people who already have the disease at a defined time matches this idea. Mortality rate tracks deaths, not how many people are living with the disease; the count of new cases describes incidence; and a proportion of people with a risk factor describes risk-factor prevalence rather than disease prevalence.

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