The 'rule of halves', often cited while describing the burden of hypertension in a community, states that:
- A Half of hypertensives develop complications, half of them die, and half die within 5 years
- B Only half of hypertensives know they have it, only half of those aware are on treatment, and only half of those treated are adequately controlled ✓
- C Half of the population develops hypertension by 60 years, half by 70 years, and half never
- D Half of hypertensives need monotherapy, half need two drugs, and half need three or more drugs
Correct answer: B. Only half of hypertensives know they have it, only half of those aware are on treatment, and only half of those treated are adequately controlled
Explanation
The rule of halves describes the cascade of care in hypertension: roughly half of affected persons are undiagnosed, half of diagnosed persons are untreated or unaware, and half of treated persons remain uncontrolled, leaving only a small fraction achieving control. Option D describes treatment intensification patterns rather than the detection and control gap, and is not what the rule refers to.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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