Objectives. This study examines differences in health insurance status among both foreign-born and US-born Latinas in California and the influence of health insurance status on the utilization of three preventive cancer screening services, including Papanicolau testing, mammography and clinical breast exams.
Methods. Data were obtained from the 1998 California Women's Health Survey. The total sample of 3,327 Latinas and White non-Latinas were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to examine the independent effect of insurance status and other covariates on utilization of cancer prevention services.
Results. Foreign -born Latinas were uninsured at twice the rate of US-born Latinas and four times the rate of White non-Latina women (44% v. 19% v. 10%, respectively). Disparities in health insurance status among foreign-born women persist after stratification by sociodemographic factors. Uninsurance status is independently predictive of lower rates of utilization of Papanicolaou tests, mammography, and clinical breast exams.
Conclusions. Latinas in California, especially the foreign-born, are at substantial risk of lacking health insurance. Uninsured women, regardless of ethnicity or nativity, are significantly more likely to lack preventive health services in the form of cervical and breast cancer screenings. Policy efforts to expand health insurance coverage will likely improve utilization of cancer preventive services for Latinas and other groups.
Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize factors that are associated with health insurance coverage 2. Articulate patterns in utilization of cancer screening services
Keywords: Health Insurance, Cancer Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.