What is meant by morbidity in health terms?

Morbidity refers specifically to the presence of illness or disease within a population, representing any departure from well-being. This includes not only diseases but also medical conditions that disrupt a person's daily activities or quality of life. It can encompass various aspects, such as chronic diseases, mental health issues, or other health-related concerns that contribute to a decline in health status.

In this context, other terms differ significantly from morbidity; for example, a state of overall health emphasizes general well-being rather than specific illnesses or conditions. The total number of deaths in a population is referred to as mortality and is a separate measure concerned only with fatalities. New cases of disease over time pertains to incidence, which accounts for how many individuals are diagnosed with a particular condition during a specified period, rather than the broader concept of morbidity that includes all existing health issues. Thus, the chosen answer aligns accurately with the definition and implications of morbidity in health terms.