| ∼ | approximately |
| < | less than |
| > | greater than |
| ACEi | angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor |
| ACTs | artemisinin combined therapies |
| AIDS | acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
| ANOVA | analysis of variance |
| ARR | absolute risk reduction |
| ARV | anti-retroviral |
| BCG | Bacille Calmette-Guérin |
| BMI | body mass index |
| BP | blood pressure |
| CER | control event rate |
| CfI | Centre for Infections |
| CFR | case fatality rate |
| CHD | coronary heart disease |
| CI | confidence interval |
| CNS | central nervous system |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CT | computed tomography |
| CUSUM | cumulative sum chart |
| CVD | cardiovascular disease |
| DALY | disability-adjusted life year |
| DVT | deep vein thrombosis |
| EBH | evidence-based healthcare |
| EBM | evidence-based medicine |
| ECG | electrocardiogram |
| EER | experimental event rate |
| EID | emerging infectious disease |
| FAP | familial adenomatous polyposis |
| FOB | faecal occult blood |
| GBD | Global Burden of Disease (WHO) |
| GMC | General Medical Council (UK) |
| GP | general practitioner |
| HAART | highly active anti-retroviral therapy |
| HCAI | healthcare associated infection |
| HDL | high density lipoprotein |
| HES | hospital episode statistics |
| HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
| HLA | human leukocyte antigen |
| HNPCC | hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer |
| HPA | Health Protection Agency |
| HPV | human papillomavirus |
| HR | hazard ratio |
| HRT | hormone replacement therapy |
| HSE | Health Survey for England |
| IID | infectious intestinal disease |
| IQR | interquartile range |
| ITBNs | insecticide treated bednets |
| ITT | intention to treat |
| LDL | low density lipoprotein |
| LR | likelihood ratio |
| MDA | mass drug administration |
| MDR | multidrug-resistant |
| MI | myocardial infarction |
| MMR | measles, mumps, rubella |
| MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
| MSM | men who have sex with men |
| NCHS | National Center for Health Statistics (USA) |
| NHANES | National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (USA) |
| NHL | non-Hodgkin lymphoma |
| NHS | National Health Service (UK) |
| NICE | National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (UK) |
| NNT | number needed to treat |
| NPV | negative predictive value |
| NRES | National Research Ethics Service (UK) |
| NSAID | non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| NTD | neglected tropical disease |
| OA | osteoarthritis |
| ONS | Office for National Statistics (UK) |
| OR | odds ratio |
| pa | per annum |
| PAT | Paddington Alcohol Test |
| PCV | packed cell volume |
| PDT | photodynamic therapy |
| PEP | postexposure prophylaxis |
| PPV | positive predictive value |
| PUD | peptic ulcer disease |
| RA | rheumatoid arthritis |
| RCT | Randomized Controlled Trial |
| SARS | severe acute respiratory syndrome |
| SBP | systolic blood pressure |
| SD | standard deviation |
| SE | standard error |
| SIGN | Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network |
| SPC | statistical process control |
| STI | sexually transmitted infection |
| TB | tuberculosis |
| TURP | transurethral resection of prostate |
| UTI | urinary tract infection |
| UV | ultraviolet |
| VTE | venous thromboembolism |
| WHO | World Health Organization |
| XDR | extensively drug-resistant |
| YLD | years of life lost to disability |