Wilson and Jungner's criteria for introducing a screening programme include all of the following EXCEPT:

• A The condition should be an important health problem
• B The screening test must have 100% sensitivity to avoid missing any case ✓
• C There should be an accepted treatment for patients with recognised disease
• D The cost of finding a case should be economically balanced in relation to overall medical expenditure

Explanation

Wilson and Jungner's 10 classic criteria for screening (1968) do NOT require 100% sensitivity. The criteria require that: (1) the condition is an important health problem; (2) there is an accepted treatment; (3) facilities for diagnosis and treatment are available; (4) there is a recognisable latent or early symptomatic stage; (5) a suitable and acceptable test exists; (6) the natural history is understood; (7) agreed policy on whom to treat; (8) continuous case-finding process; (9) acceptable risks; (10) cost is economically balanced. Requiring 100% sensitivity would be impractical and would compromise specificity.

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

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