May 25, 2021

Socioeconomic and Racial Inequities in Breast Cancer Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Washington State

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Public Health Policy and Practice

Keywords (Tags): cancer, public health, WA, washington

• Breast cancer screening declined by 49% in Washington State during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic screening, according to an analysis of completed mammograms within a large non-profit community health care system. 55,678 screenings were conducted between April to December 2019 whereas only 27,522 screenings occurred during the same period in 2020. Greater declines in screenings were observed among women who were Hispanic (64%), American Indian/Alaska Native (61%), multiracial (56%), and other minorities compared to declines among white women (49%). Declines were greater among women living in rural vs urban areas as well as those who self-paid for treatment or were insured by Medicaid compared to those with commercial insurance or insured by Medicare. 

Amram et al. (May 24, 2021). Socioeconomic and Racial Inequities in Breast Cancer Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Washington State. JAMA Network Open. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.10946