Disease incidence refers to the number of new cases of a specific disease that occur within a defined population during a certain time period. It is often expressed as a rate, such as the number of cases per 1,000 or 100,000 people. This measure helps public health officials understand how quickly a disease is spreading and can inform prevention strategies. Monitoring disease incidence is crucial for identifying outbreaks and assessing the effectiveness of interventions. For example, tracking the incidence of influenza during flu season can help healthcare providers prepare for increased patient visits. Accurate data on incidence can also guide research and resource allocation in the fight against diseases.