Which term describes the total new cases of a disease in a population over a specific time frame?

The term that describes the total new cases of a disease in a population over a specific time frame is cumulative incidence. This measure is calculated by dividing the number of new cases that occur during a specific time period by the population at risk at the beginning of that period. Cumulative incidence represents the likelihood or risk of developing the disease within the specified time frame, making it a crucial metric in epidemiology for understanding disease spread and impact within specific populations.

In contrast, prevalence refers to the total number of cases (both new and existing) of a disease within a population at a specific point in time, rather than new cases over a time period. The mortality rate measures the number of deaths due to a specific disease within a defined population during a set time frame, focusing on outcomes rather than incidence. Incidence density, on the other hand, accounts for the number of new cases of a disease per unit of person-time at risk, often used when individuals are observed for varying lengths of time, rather than providing a straightforward count of new cases within a fixed time frame.