In the iceberg phenomenon of disease, the visible tip of the iceberg represents:
- A All individuals harbouring the disease agent
- B Carriers and subclinical cases detected only by special surveys
- C Clinically apparent and diagnosed cases known to the health system ✓
- D Individuals exposed to risk factors but free of disease
Correct answer: C. Clinically apparent and diagnosed cases known to the health system
Explanation
The tip represents overt, clinically manifest cases who seek care and are counted in routine statistics. The larger submerged portion comprises latent, subclinical, undiagnosed and carrier states detectable only through surveys and screening. Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and mental illness have very large submerged portions, which is why community diagnosis differs sharply from hospital-based statistics.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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