Question

In which of the following situations is a screening test appropriate because these are likely to be seen as appropriate or reasonable from a prevention/public health perspective?

1) For a disease with a moderate overall mortality rate in the general population
2) When the testing process causes some pain due to an invasive procedure
3) When the disease has a prevalence in the population under 5
4) None of the above

Answer 1

A screening test is considered appropriate if it is likely to benefit public health by detecting a disease early for effective treatment, especially for (1) diseases with a moderate overall mortality rate in the general population.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the appropriateness of a screening test from a prevention or public health perspective, one has to evaluate multiple factors. The appropriateness of a screening test, such as those for cancer screening, can be determined by its potential to detect a disease early enough for effective treatment, the prevalence of the disease, the mortality rate it causes, and the risks associated with the screening process itself, including pain from invasive procedures, false positives, and other potential harms.

Therefore, based on the provided information, the following situation could potentially be seen as an appropriate circumstance for a screening test: 1) For a disease with a moderate overall mortality rate in the general population. This is because the benefit of reducing mortality through early detection and treatment might outweigh the risks. However, it's essential to evaluate each situation individually, considering the prevalence and the specific risks associated with the screening test.