What does sensitivity refer to in statistics?

Sensitivity in statistics specifically refers to a test's ability to correctly identify true positives, which means it measures the proportion of actual positives that are correctly identified by the test. When a test has high sensitivity, it effectively reduces the likelihood of false negatives, meaning that most individuals who truly have the condition are accurately detected.

In medical testing, for example, sensitivity is crucial because it indicates how well a test can identify individuals with a particular disease. A test with high sensitivity means that few patients with the disease will be missed, thereby ensuring that those who need treatment are identified and can receive care as needed.