Endemicity of Disease

the constant presence in a particular locality of certain diseases owing to the prevailing natural conditions and mode of life of the population. For example, the endemicity of some infectious diseases is attributable to the existence of natural focuses of infection. The chemical composition of the soil, water, or air may cause excessive or insufficient quantities of certain substances to enter the body, resulting in the occurrence of an endemic disease, for example, endemic goiter. The term “endemic” is also applied to diseases that occur everywhere but whose spread is determined by the living conditions of the inhabitants of the particular region. For example, the spread of intestinal infections may be related to a contaminated water supply.

The control of endemic diseases includes improvement of living conditions, vaccinations, eradication of natural sources and transmitters of infection, and fluoridation or iodization of water.