epidemic

An unexpected outbreak of infectious disease or other health condition affecting a large number of people at the same time, spreading rapidly through a similar demographic segment. This demographic can be in a similar geographic area such as a city, state or region; a similar age group; similar sex, gender, or sexual orientation characteristics; or other shared characteristics. West Nile fever and obesity are both considered epidemics.

Some hypothetical examples of epidemics could include:

  • A sudden rise of American prostate cancer rates in men ages 20 to 50
  • Outbreak of dengue fever in Florida
  • Sudden rise in cigarette smoking in American teens
  • Outbreak of polio in Upstate New York

Also see endemic and pandemic.

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