How often new cases of a health problem occur in a population. Often confused with frequency, it is not the same. Frequency reports the total number of cases and incidence reports new cases only. Incidence can also be used to compare the health of populations. For example, the incidence of certain types of cancer is higher in the south than in the north, indicating a health disparity based on geography.

Characteristics of an individual that contribute to health and health care disparities. Examples of individual factors include culture, socio economic position, biological and clinical characteristics, behaviors and living conditions. For example, a poor person may not have access to preventative health care. Certain cultures or religious groups may have beliefs about the body that hinder access to healthcare or prohibit certain treatments. Those who do not speak English may have trouble communicating with their health care providers, thus preventing optimal care. Biological characteristics linked to health disparities include familial predisposition to certain diseases. Behaviors such as drug abuse can also lead to poor health. Individual factors in combination with environmental, social and health system factors lead to health and healthcare disparities.

Informed Decision-Making is a term to describe a process designed to help patients understand the nature of the disease or condition being addressed; understand the clinical service being provided including benefits, risks, limitations, alternatives and uncertainties; consider their own preferences and values; participate in decision-making at the level they desire; and make decisions consistent with their own preferences and values or choose to defer a decision until a later time.

Inpatient Care is the delivery of health care services to a person who has been admitted to a hospital or other health facility for a period of at least 24 hours.