Final answer:
The result obtained by dividing the incidence of a disease in individuals with risk factors by the incidence in those without risk factors is known as the Relative Risk. This epidemiological measure shows the strength of the association between a risk factor and a disease or health outcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you divide the incidence of a disease in those with risk factors by the incidence of the same disease in those without risk factors, the result is called the Relative Risk (RR). This measure is a cornerstone of epidemiological studies as it helps to identify if there is an association between a risk factor and a health-related outcome. To calculate Relative Risk, one would use the formula: RR = incidence of outcome in exposed group / incidence of outcome in non-exposed group. This gives an indication of the strength of the association between exposure to a risk factor and the outcome of interest, which could be the prevalence of a disease.
Incidence, on the other hand, refers to the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a specific population during a certain time period. It is important in understanding how often a disease occurs and can help in identifying potential causes or risk factors. Prevalence represents the actual number of cases, both new and existing, in a population at a given time, reflecting the overall health burden of a disease.