Public Health Glossary

Decode complex terminology and master the language of public health.

False positive

Definition: A false positive occurs when a test or screening indicates the presence of a disease or condition, but the…

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Family planning

Definition: Family planning refers to the ability of individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children…

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Fatality rate

Definition: The fatality rate, often referred to as the Case Fatality Rate (CFR), is the proportion of individuals diagnosed with…

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Fertility rate

Definition: The fertility rate is a demographic measure indicating the average number of children born to women in a given…

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Fetal alcohol syndrome

Definition: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a severe, irreversible condition resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure, characterized by a specific pattern…

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Field epidemiology

Definition: Field epidemiology is the application of epidemiological methods to real-world public health problems, often in urgent, time-sensitive situations directly…

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Fomite

Definition: A fomite is any inanimate object or substance that is capable of carrying infectious organisms (such as bacteria, viruses,…

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Food security

Definition: Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and…

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Foodborne illness

Definition: Foodborne illness, commonly known as food poisoning, refers to any illness caused by consuming food or drink contaminated with…

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Forecasting (epidemiological)

Definition: Forecasting (epidemiological) is the use of mathematical models and statistical methods to predict the future trajectory of disease incidence,…

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