In Wilson and Jungner's (1968) criteria for mass screening, which of the following is NOT a listed criterion?
- A The natural history of the condition should be adequately understood
- B The disease should have a high case fatality rate in the target population ✓
- C There should be an accepted treatment for patients with recognised disease
- D The cost of case-finding should be economically balanced in relation to possible expenditure on medical care as a whole
Explanation
Wilson and Jungner's 10 criteria for screening do not include 'high case fatality rate'; rather they require that the condition is an important health problem, has a recognisable latent or early symptomatic stage, has available treatment, that facilities for diagnosis and treatment exist, there is an accepted test, the test is acceptable to the population, the natural history is understood, there is an agreed policy on treatment, the cost is economically balanced, and case-finding is a continuing process — not a one-time project. High CFR alone does not justify screening.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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