Final answer:
True, the risk of disease is assessed by measuring the incidence rate, which counts new cases of a disease in a period of time, assisting in understanding the spread and risk factors of disease.
Correct option is B
Step-by-step explanation:
True, to calculate the risk of disease, you must measure the number of new cases developing during a period of time. This is known as the incidence rate, a vital statistic used in epidemiological investigations. Incidence specifically refers to the emergence of new instances of a disease and helps in understanding risk factors and the spread of disease. In contrast, prevalence includes both new and existing cases of a disease within a population over time, providing a snapshot of the disease's overall burden on the population.
For example, if you want to assess the risk of a new flu strain in a community, you would track the number of new flu cases that appear during the flu season. This data helps health professionals to establish risk levels for contracting the flu and to take appropriate preventive measures. Therefore, calculating incidence is crucial for estimating the risk of disease onset in a specific time frame.