What factors influence the incidence and prevalence of emerging diseases?

The incidence and prevalence of emerging diseases are significantly influenced by the transportation of pathogens across borders and technological changes. Globalization has made it easier for pathogens, which may be responsible for emerging diseases, to move quickly from one region to another through travel and trade. This means diseases that were previously localized can spread rapidly across countries and continents, contributing to their incidence.

Moreover, technological changes such as advancements in transportation and communication facilitate quicker spread as well. For instance, air travel can transport individuals and the pathogens they may carry across vast distances in a matter of hours. Additionally, technological innovations can influence how diseases are monitored, diagnosed, and treated, affecting their prevalence and the public's response to outbreaks.

While increased funding in healthcare, improved sanitation, and public awareness can play roles in managing and mitigating the spread of diseases, they do not fundamentally influence the structural aspects related to the movement of pathogens and the rapid changes in technology that contribute to the emergence of new health threats.