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Incidence rate

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Definition

In epidemiology, the incidence rate represents the rate of new cases of a condition observed within a given period – affected population – in relation to the total population within which these cases have arisen (in the same period) – the target population. It is one of the most essential criteria for determining the prevalence and speed of manifestation of a disease.

Note

Incidence rate is generally expressed in “number of persons affected per 100,000 of the population, per year”, in order to allow comparisons between different populations and time periods.