Wilson and Jungner's criteria for a suitable disease to screen include all of the following EXCEPT:
- A Mass treatment of all high-risk individuals regardless of screening result should be feasible ✓
- B The disease should be an important health problem with a recognized latent or early symptomatic stage
- C An accepted treatment or intervention should be available
- D The cost of case-finding should be balanced against expenditure as a whole
Correct answer: A. Mass treatment of all high-risk individuals regardless of screening result should be feasible
Explanation
Wilson and Jungner's 10 criteria (1968) do not include mass treatment regardless of screening result; instead, they require an accepted treatment available for those identified as diseased. The criteria emphasize that treatment resources exist and are accessible post-detection, not that everyone should be treated prophylactically. Screening is to identify individuals at benefit from intervention.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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