Addressing Social Determinants of Health to Improve Access to Early Breast Cancer Detection: Results of the Boston REACH 2010 Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition Women's Health Demonstration Project

Abstract

Case management was successful at promoting mammography screening uptake, although no change in longitudinal patterns was found. Housing concerns and lacking a regular provider should be addressed to promote mammography uptake. Future research should provide social assessment and address social obstacles in a randomized controlled setting to confirm the efficacy of social determinant approaches to improve mammography use.

Lack Of Access Due To Costs Remains A Problem For Some In Massachusetts Despite The State’s Health Reforms

“…[25][26][27][28][29] To craft and monitor polices and interventions that narrow disparities in access to care, greater national and state attention to collecting and reporting additional data will be necessary. In particular, we need more data on the social determinants of health to identify specific barriers related to cost and access for vulnerable groups that general insurance reforms may not address.…”

Social Determinants of Breast Cancer Screening in Urban Primary Care Practices: A Community-Engaged Formative Study

“…To address the root causes of health disparities and improve mammography use, interventions need to address these multiple layers of factors that determine access to and utilization of care (Blackman & Masi, 2006;Clark et al, 2009;Masi et al, 2007).…”

Time to Diagnostic Evaluation After Mammographic Screening in an Urban Setting

“…In nonrandomized, but prospective trials, results also support the use of patient navigation. 19,20 In a cohort of 437 African American women, Clark reported timely follow-up after abnormal results from screening mammograms in 85% of the study participants. 19 Also, in a Chicago-based cancer patient navigation program with 352 women with breast abnormalities, compared to controls, the breast navigation group had shorter time to diagnostic resolution (adjusted HR = 1.65, confidence interval = 1.20-2.28).…”