Katherine Lives in a State That Has a Population-Based Registry

Katherine lives in a state that has a population-based registry for autism spectrum disorders. Whenever a health care provider, mental health professional, or educator diagnosis an individual with an autism spectrum disorder, they are required by state law to report certain information to the health department. When the registry first began, the same individuals were required to report all individuals they provided care or other services to who had autism spectrum disorders, regardless of when the diagnoses were made. As a result, it is possible for Katherine to know the total number of individuals in her state who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. That is, Katherine knows the ____ of autism spectrum disorders in her state.

A) incidence
B) prevalence
C) correlation
D) epidemiology