What Are the Key Concepts in Understanding Disease Mechanisms?
Several key concepts are essential to understanding disease mechanisms in epidemiology:
Exposure: This refers to the contact with disease-causing factors or risk factors. It can be biological (e.g., bacteria, viruses), chemical (e.g., toxins), or behavioral (e.g., smoking). Outcome: The health-related event or state that is being studied, such as the occurrence of a disease. Incidence: The number of new cases of a disease that occur in a specified population within a defined time period. Prevalence: The total number of cases, both new and pre-existing, of a disease in a population at a given time. Risk Factor: Any attribute, characteristic, or exposure that increases the likelihood of developing a disease.
