Iceberg phenomenon of disease

Iceberg phenomenon of disease gives a picture of the spectrum of diseases in a community. The visible part of the iceberg denotes the clinically apparent cases of disease in the community. The part of the iceberg below the water level denoted the latent, subclinical, undiagnosed and carrier states in the community, which forms the major part. The hidden part is especially important in disease like hypertension, diabetes and malnutrition.

Some diseases exhibiting iceberg phenomenon:

• diabetes
• hypertension
• malnutrition
• polio
• leprosy