A low-risk target group of 475 individuals 64-71 years of age was recruited from the community and received comprehensive screening assessments. Four hundred four unknown/untreated medical conditions were detected in 74.5% of the participants, but less than 5% of these conditions would have been detected using the most conservative screening procedures recommended for this age group. A more liberal, yet still focused, clinical evaluation could detect the medical conditions noted in 5% or more of the participants. However, 43% of the 279 unknown/untreated laboratory abnormalities were noted on tests that fulfill the more liberal of the accepted screening criteria. Despite a large number of detected conditions, an unfocused, comprehensive screening assessment is not recommended for this particular target group; rather, the use of a selective screening package is supported.