Community Medicine (PSM) · Non-Communicable Disease Control (Cardiovascular, Cancer)

According to the classical 'rule of halves' in hypertension epidemiology, what proportion of all hypertensive individuals in a community are expected to be adequately controlled?

  • A One-half
  • B One-eighth
  • C One-fourth
  • D Three-fourths
Correct answer: B. One-eighth

Explanation

The rule of halves states that half of hypertensives are undetected, half of those detected are untreated, and half of those treated are inadequately controlled. Compounding these gives one-eighth, roughly 12.5%, of all hypertensives adequately controlled. This concept underscores why opportunistic screening and initiatives like IHCI focus on detection, treatment adherence, and control rather than diagnosis alone.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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