epidemic
What to know
Epidemics are characterized by the spread of an infectious disease within a distinct geographic area at a frequency far above normal.
The ancient Greek poet Homer has been credited as the first to reference “epidemics” in print at least 2,700 years ago. The word epidemic—derived from the Greek epi (“on”) and demos (“people”)—has also long been used to describe social conditions, developments, recurrent events, and phenomena. Given this range of applications, it’s important to make your use of the term clear.
Literal use of epidemic
Throughout history, epidemics have shaped various features of human life, including: migration, marriage, birth, food, housing, infrastructure, jobs, economies, rituals, beliefs, art, science, and more. This is especially the case when an epidemic grows into a full-blown pandemic, distinguished by its scale: “A pandemic refers to a disease event in which there are more cases of a disease than expected spread over several countries or continents,” according to the CDC. Diseases become endemic when they are consistently present at a relatively predictable rate within a particular area.
When using the term to describe a disease outbreak, reporting with care, restraint, and reliable data sources will provide crucial information and avoid stoking public panic. Citing experts with verified scientific, public health, or other formal and relevant credentials is necessary. They should inform your decision of whether, how, and when to use the term. The timeline and level of threat of any public health crisis vary significantly for different populations and communities, including disabled people, caregivers, and people with chronic illness or limited access to healthcare.
While there may be exceptions, journalists are rarely equipped to independently determine that a disease has reached epidemic proportions. Where public health is concerned, lay observations and those of general health-care providers may be helpful but, in most cases, shouldn’t be given equal weight to analysis from infectious disease experts, researchers, or physicians who have ample experience with the pathogen in question and its effects.
The claims of influencers, supplement-makers, or other non-experts should not be positioned as sources of legitimate alternative guidance on epidemics without thorough explanation of their ideas, the source of their insights and expertise, potential motivations, and clear and prominent inclusion of up-to-date information from credentialed experts. Failure to do so can fuel misinformation and scams.
Reporting on the spread and consequences of diseases under various conditions will inform people looking to understand the severity of the situation, its disparate effects on specific communities, and what steps are needed to promote personal and public safety. If any of this information is unknown, saying so will provide necessary transparency. Responsible journalists take extreme care to avoid fomenting panic, downplaying real risks, or communicating in ways that scapegoat groups or disregard disproportionate harm.
Epidemic as metaphor
In addition to using the term to describe literal disease outbreaks, thinkers and writers use epidemic as metaphor, to describe the rapid and far-reaching spread of social phenomena. Recent examples include reporting on epidemics of loneliness and gun and sexual violence.
Consider the concrete evidence necessary to justify metaphorical use of the term. What data can you point to that demonstrates why this phenomenon is growing? Have conditions for it been fostered? What is the scale of a phenomenon’s spread and harm? How might your language inadvertently or inaccurately cast blame, pathologize, or stigmatize individuals or groups? Alternative terms you might consider include: growth, spread, development, trend, or pattern.
Another challenge that comes with using epidemic as metaphor is the question of how to account for the consequences of a phenomenon without stripping the people involved of agency. Clearly describing causes and effects, personal choices, public policies, private organization rules, and disparities with respect to both access and impact can help to strike a responsible balance.
In general, it can be helpful to ask yourself: have I used the term epidemic in a medical or metaphorical sense? Have I provided the context necessary for the intended use to be clear and useful for those who hope to remain healthy and safe or to arrest spread? Have I worked to balance the value of an early warning against the risk of fear-mongering or sensationalism that serves personal, political, or financial interests?
Additional resources
- Endemic vs. epidemic vs. pandemic: What you need to know (Mayo Clinic)
- Epidemic as Metaphor (The University of Chicago)
- Is “Epidemic” the Right Metaphor for Gun Violence? (The Atlantic)
- (Against) Virus as Metaphor (The New Yorker)
Summary
An epidemic is characterized by the spread of an infectious disease within a distinct geographic area at a frequency far above normal. The term has also long been used metaphorically to describe social phenomena (e.g., epidemics of loneliness or gun violence). Reporting with care, restraint, and reliable data sources, including experts with relevant credentials, is necessary to provide crucial information and avoid stoking public panic.