Morbidity is a medical term that refers to the incidence of disease. It can also refer to the number of people affected by a particular disease or condition. Morbidity rates are often used to compare the health of different populations.
There are many different types of morbidity, including:
• Acute morbidity – This is defined as a sudden onset of illness or injury that requires medical treatment. It can be caused by infections, trauma, or other conditions.
• Chronic morbidity – This refers to a long-term illness or condition that may require ongoing medical care and support. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are examples of chronic morbidities.
• Prevalent morbidity – This term is used to describe an existing condition that is likely to cause symptoms or problems in the future. For example, obesity is considered a prevalent morbidity because it increases the risk for developing other health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.