What term describes the excessive prevalence of a negative health condition?

The term that describes the excessive prevalence of a negative health condition is "epidemic." An epidemic refers to a situation where the incidence of a disease exceeds what is normally expected in a specific geographic area or population during a specific time period. This can apply to diseases that may be infectious, non-infectious, or other health conditions that affect a large number of individuals in a given location simultaneously.

In this context, "epidemic" points towards a significant increase in cases, suggesting a public health concern that requires attention and potential intervention to manage and control the spread of the health condition.

While the term "pandemic" refers to an epidemic that has spread over multiple countries or continents, the emphasis here is on excessive prevalence within a defined area rather than across broader regions. "Endemic" describes a disease that is consistently present but at a stable rate within a certain geographic area. An "outbreak" usually indicates a sudden rise in cases but does not necessarily imply the scale of that increase as compared to an epidemic. Thus, "epidemic" most accurately captures the concept of widespread prevalence in a defined population.