(duh.ZEEZ clus.tur)
n.
A geographical region where an above average percentage of the population has, or has had, a particular disease.
Example Citation:
An unexplained pattern of illnesses has been found in hundreds of people living near the nation's nuclear facilities, The Tennessean in Nashville reports today.
Peter Brush, DOE's top health official, . . . said DOE officials will review the national health complaints raised by The Tennessean. If disease clusters are found, the DOE could urge the CDC to begin a study.
— Kathryn Winiarski, "News report traces pattern of illnesses near nuclear plants," USA Today, September 29, 1998
Earliest Citation:
Medical sleuths troubled by an outbreak of meningitis that has killed four people and afflicted 30 others in Houston are seeking a common source for a puzzling cluster of the disease in the nation's fifth-largest city.
— Sharon Herbaugh, "Doctors Seek Common Link To Puzzling disease cluster," The Associated Press, February 7, 1981
Related Words:
Asian paradox
Categories:
New words. 2013.