In the U.S., African-American and Hispanic women, women with less than a high school education, and low-income women, report lower rates of breast and cervical cancer screening than other women. These lower rates are due, in part, to a lack of access to affordable health services. Barriers include lack of insurance, physician referral, and transportation, as well as language and cultural barriers. ENCOREplus is a breast and cervical cancer outreach, education, enabling, and referral to screening program that seeks to address the barriers that prevent these women from obtaining breast and cervical cancer screening services. This program is implemented by the YWCA of the U.S.A., a network of community-based organizations, in over 70 affiliate sites across the U.S. Women are recruited through community outreach efforts and enrolled in the program. Women in need of mammography or Pap test screening are provided with health education information and other services to overcome structural barriers such as childcare, transportation, and facilitating linkage with providers. This paper describes the characteristics of women recruited through the program and factors associated with prior breast and cervical cancer screening behavior. The results illustrate the effectiveness of the program in reaching the intended target population of low-income and minority women.
Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the characteristics of women recruited through the program and factors associated with prior breast and cervical cancer screening behavior. 2.Identify effective methods to reach the intended target population
Keywords: Breast Cancer, Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The University of Texas Houston, School of Public Health, Center for Health Promotion Research and Development
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
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