Crossword Genius

Criticize confused medic in major health crisis (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pandemic

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'major health crisis' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to natural events as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'criticize confused medic in' is the wordplay.
'criticize' becomes 'pan' (I've seen this in another clue).
'confused' indicates anagramming the letters.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'medic' anagrammed gives 'demic'.
'pan' going within 'demic' is 'PANDEMIC'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pandemic that I've seen before include "(Of a disease) affecting a wide area" , "Very widespread outbreak of a disease" , "Denim cap (anag.)" , "Decamp in middle of world outbreak of disease" , "Widespread health problem" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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