How is morbidity defined?

Morbidity refers specifically to the incidence or prevalence of disease within a particular population. It quantifies how many individuals are affected by a disease, thus providing valuable insight into the health status of that population at a given time. By measuring the number of cases of a specific disease, healthcare professionals and researchers can assess the burden of illness on the community, inform resource allocation, and implement public health strategies to address these health issues.

The other choices do not accurately define morbidity. The total number of hospital admissions relates more to healthcare utilization rather than the incidence of disease. The number of patients cured from diseases emphasizes treatment outcomes rather than the presence of disease. The average number of visits per patient focuses on healthcare access and patient engagement, which is not synonymous with understanding morbidity.