Wilson and Jungner (WHO, 1968) laid down criteria for a disease to be suitable for screening. Which of the following is NOT one of the Wilson-Jungner criteria?
- A The disease must affect more than 10% of the screened population ✓
- B The natural history of the disease should be adequately understood
- C There should be an accepted treatment for patients with recognized disease
- D The cost of case-finding should be economically balanced in relation to possible expenditure on medical care as a whole
Correct answer: A. The disease must affect more than 10% of the screened population
Explanation
The 10 Wilson-Jungner criteria for screening include: disease is an important health problem; natural history is well understood; there is a recognizable early stage; treatment at early stage is more beneficial than at late stage; suitable test exists; the test is acceptable; adequate health services exist; agreed policy on who to treat; cost is economically balanced; case-finding is a continuing process. A minimum disease prevalence threshold is NOT one of the original criteria, though disease importance (burden) is criterion 1.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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