The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68598

Lisa Maisels, MSW, MPH¹, Monika Mitra, PhD¹, Rosemary Frasso Jaramillo, RT(R)(M), RDMS², Nancy Wilber, EdD¹, Janice Mirabassi, MA³, and Cheryl Bushnell, RN, MS¹. (1) Bureau of Family and Community Health, Division for Special Health Needs, Office on Health and Disability, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington St., 4th floor, Boston, MA 02108-4619, (617) 624-5960, lisa.maisels@state.ma.us, (2) Department of Society, Health and Human Development, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, (3) Bureau of Family and Community Health, Division for Special Health Needs, Office on Health and Disability, Massachusetts Dept of Public Health, 250 Washington St., 5th floor, Boston, MA 02108-4619

The Mammography Access Project (MAP) seeks to increase mammography screenings among women with mobility disabilities (MD) through a three-year, CDC-funded intervention conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). The project is based on the MA BRFSS finding that women with MD were significantly less likely to have had a mammogram in the recommended time frame than other women (46 to 62% vs. 75%). Year 1 focuses on increasing the accessibility of mammography facilities through two strategies.

First, licensors from the MDPH Radiation Control Program will conduct annual assessments of all mammography facilities. All sites will receive minimal technical assistance (TA), and certain sites will receive more extensive TA. Results of these assessments will be analyzed to assess changes over time and the effect of more extensive TA. Results will also be disseminated to women and providers.

Second, two pilot mammography facilities, which perform about 35,000 mammograms per year, will modify their scheduling practices to screen for MD when appointments are made. If necessary, a longer appointment and/or extra staff assistance will be scheduled.

Evaluation data collected from women receiving mammograms will be analyzed to track numbers of women with MD served and explore differences between women with and without MD in: (1) satisfaction; (2) likelihood of provider-referral vs. self-referral; (3) length of time since last mammogram and (4) likelihood of returning to the same facility. Findings will help clarify why women with MD are less likely to receive timely mammograms.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• list at least two barriers to mammography for women with mobility disabilities.
• list at least two strategies for increasing mammography rates for women with mobility disabilities.

Keywords: Disability, Mammography Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.