EarthWords is an on-going series in which we shed some light on the complicated, often difficult-to-pronounce language of science. Think of us as your terminology tour-guides, and meet us back here every week for a new word!

The EarthWord: Morbidity

Definition:

• Morbidity isn’t when you have gallows humor, but rather when an organism is diseased or ill for any cause.

• It can also refer to the percentage of a group that is diseased, i.e., a cave with bats where three quarters of them have been infected with white-nose syndrome has a morbidity of 75%.

• Morbidity can result from infectious diseases, exposure to contaminants, lack of nutrients, etc.

• Morbidity can lead to death, but does not have to.

Etymology:

• Morbidity comes from the Latin word morbus, which meant “sick,” or “diseased.”

Use/Significance in the Earth Science Community:

• Morbidity is an important concept in both epidemiology and toxicology, as it’s a key indicator of the presence of either an infectious disease or exposure to toxic contaminants.

USGS Use:

• USGS studies wildlife morbidity due to infectious disease in its Fish and Wildlife Disease Program.

• USGS studies wildlife morbidity due to contaminant exposure in its Contaminants Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology Programs.

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