How is morbidity defined in a population?

Morbidity is defined as the incidence of ill health within a specific population. This includes any condition or state that leads to a reduced quality of life or an increase in healthcare needs, such as diseases, injuries, or other health-related issues that affect individuals. Understanding morbidity is crucial in public health and epidemiology as it provides insight into the health status of a population and informs health interventions and resource allocation.

When considering the context of the other options, the number of healthy individuals in a population straightforwardly does not capture the concept of morbidity, as morbidity specifically relates to those who are ill. The total cases of a disease refer more to prevalence, which indicates how widespread a particular disease is rather than its impact on health states. Lastly, defining morbidity as the state of well-being contradicts its meaning, as morbidity involves aspects of health that detract from overall wellness. Therefore, the correct interpretation of morbidity as the incidence of ill health reflects its significance in both clinical and population health assessments.