How are decisions about screening programmes made?

These criteria are:

• the condition is suitable for screening
• there is a suitable test
• there is an effective and accessible treatment or intervention for the condition
• there is high-quality evidence that a screening programme is effective in reducing death and illness
• the potential benefit of the test should outweigh potential harm
• the health sector should be capable of supporting diagnosis, follow-up and programme evaluation
• there is consideration of social and ethical issues; there is consideration of cost-benefit issues.

For further information, see the document Screening to Improve Health in New Zealand: Criteria to assess screening programmes, National Health Committe (2003).