Which of the following best describes an incidence rate?

Within the Health Data Analytics domain, NAHQ distinguishes clearly between incidence and prevalence. An incidence rate measures the occurrence of new cases of a condition within a defined population over a specified period of time. This makes incidence particularly useful for evaluating risk, monitoring trends, and assessing the impact of prevention strategies.

Option B correctly identifies all required elements of incidence: new cases, a defined time frame, and a population at risk. Option A describes prevalence at a point in time. Option D includes cases over time but does not specify new cases, making it closer to period prevalence. Option C reverses the numerator and denominator. Therefore, Option B is the accurate definition of an incidence rate as tested on the CPHQ exam.