Learn English – What’s a word for a non-communicable (non-contagious) disease that has still spread throughout a population

antonymssingle-word-requestssynonymsterminology

Normally I would use forms of the words epidemic, pandemic, or infection but these would imply that the disease is contagious. Are there any words that mean a disease has spread but is not contagious?

Eg: "Instances of diabetes have spread throughout the city."

Best Answer

Epidemic means only that the disease has spread more than expected; pandemic that it has spread to other countries. It doesn't have to be contagious — Bradd Szonye is correct in that — but it could be, so if you really want "words that mean a disease has spread but is not contagious" epidemic doesn't specifically say that.

You could try outbreak:

a sudden, violent, or spontaneous occurrence, esp of disease or strife