An increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected

An inanimate object that can carry and spread infectious agents

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Introduction to Epidemiology

Epidemiology

Basic concepts, terms, and foundational principles of epidemiology.

public health science disease

20 Questions Easy Ages 12+ Aug 11, 2026

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About this Study Set

This study set covers Epidemiology through 20 practice questions. Basic concepts, terms, and foundational principles of epidemiology. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.

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1 What is the primary focus of epidemiology?

A The study of disease in individual patients
B The study of the distribution and determinants of health in populations
C The production of vaccines in laboratories
D The surgical treatment of chronic illnesses

2 Which term describes the total number of existing cases of a disease in a population at a specific time?

A Incidence
B Prevalence
C Mortality
D Morbidity

3 What is an epidemic?

A A disease that occurs regularly at a low level in a population
B A disease that affects the entire world
C An increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected
D The study of how bacteria grow

4 What does the term 'morbidity' refer to?

A The rate of death in a population
B The number of people who have a disease
C The cause of an illness
D The duration of a medical study

5 What is a 'vector' in the context of disease transmission?

A A living organism that transmits an infectious agent to a host
B A type of medical record
C A measurement of vaccine effectiveness
D A chemical used to clean hospitals

6 What term describes the constant presence of a disease within a specific geographic area?

A Pandemic
B Endemic
C Sporadic
D Outbreak

7 Which measure represents the number of new cases of a disease during a specific period?

A Incidence
B Prevalence
C Case fatality rate
D Attack rate

8 What is the 'incubation period'?

A The time between exposure to an agent and the onset of symptoms
B The time a patient spends in the hospital
C The period required for a vaccine to be developed
D The duration of a clinical trial

9 What is a 'pandemic'?

A A local outbreak of a common cold
B An epidemic occurring over a very wide area, such as multiple continents
C A disease found only in animals
D A disease that is not contagious

10 What is the 'case fatality rate'?

A The number of people who recover from a disease
B The proportion of persons with a particular condition who die from that condition
C The total population of a city
D The percentage of people vaccinated

11 Which of these is a common 'route of transmission' for infectious diseases?

A Mathematical modeling
B Social media interaction
C Respiratory droplets
D Genetic inheritance

12 What is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states in populations called?

A Pharmacology
B Epidemiology
C Anatomy
D Physiology

13 What does a 'host' represent in the epidemiological triangle?

A The environment where a pathogen lives
B The person or living organism that can be infected by an agent
C The medical professional treating the patient
D The laboratory equipment used for testing

14 Which organization is the primary international public health agency?

A World Health Organization (WHO)
B Red Cross
C United Nations
D Doctors Without Borders

15 What is the 'agent' in the epidemiological triangle?

A The climate of a region
B The organism or substance that causes disease
C The healthcare system
D The patient's diet

16 What is the definition of a 'carrier' in epidemiology?

A A person who transports medical supplies
B A person who harbors a specific infectious agent without visible clinical disease
C A patient currently in the hospital
D A medical doctor who specializes in surgery

17 What is 'surveillance' in public health?

A The ongoing systematic collection and analysis of health data
B The act of blaming individuals for their illness
C The manufacturing of medical masks
D The process of interviewing hospital staff

18 Which term refers to the resistance of a population to an infectious disease due to immunity in a large proportion of the individuals?

A Herd immunity
B Quarantine
C Isolation
D Active surveillance

19 What does 'direct transmission' mean?

A Transmission through contaminated water
B The transfer of an infectious agent through physical contact
C Transmission via air conditioning units
D The transfer of disease through insect bites

20 What is a 'fomite'?

A An inanimate object that can carry and spread infectious agents
B A type of virus that affects animals
C A specialized medical test
D A geographic map of disease outbreaks

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