prevalence
prevalence — noun
1. how often or widely something exists, happens, or is found across a region, amon
how often or widely something exists, happens, or is found across a region, among a group, or at a given time
The prevalence of heart disease among older adults worries doctors like Dr. Tunde.
prevalence + of + among [group]
Sumin read a report on the prevalence of dengue fever in southern Vietnam.
prevalence + of + in [location]
The high prevalence of smartphone use has changed how young people in Noa's class communicate.
collocation: high prevalence
Kabir's study found a low prevalence of tooth decay in children who use fluoridated water.
collocation: low prevalence
Hoa was surprised by the prevalence of English signs in shops near her apartment.
- high prevalence
- low prevalence
- increasing prevalence
- overall prevalence
- prevalence rate
- frequency
focuses on how often something happens within a timeframe, without the sense of geographical or social spread
- incidence
more technical, usually about the number of new cases of a disease or issue appearing in a population
- commonness
less formal and simpler; describes the everyday state of being found or seen often
- occurrence
focuses on something taking place or existing, without emphasis on how widespread it is
- rarity
the state of being uncommon, infrequent, or hard to find
Usage Note
Prevalence is most often used in formal or academic writing, particularly in health, social science, and statistics. The preposition 'of' almost always follows the word: the prevalence OF something (e.g., the prevalence of a disease).