Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase
306436
Zip Code Data helps to Identify those Most at Risk
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Renea Duffin, MPA
,
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Background Recognizing the link between socioeconomic status and cancer mortality rates, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has provided free community based cancer screenings to disparate populations for over a decade. In 2013, the Cancer Center implemented a more targeted approach to their outreach and screening efforts to reach the most disparate populations in their service area. Methods The Cancer Center identified zip codes within the 18 parish service area with the highest most immediate health needs. High need zip codes were identified using the Thomson Reuters Community Needs Index (CNI) which averages 5 socioeconomic factors (income, culture, education, insurance, and housing barriers) to determine neighborhoods most in need. Concentrated grassroots outreach and additional events were conducted in these communities. Results In 2013 the Cancer Center provided 7,008 cancer screenings at 239 events throughout its service area. Approximately 45% of the participants were from zip codes identified as highest needs. The number of participants from CNI zip codes increased 22% over 2012. Approximately 40% of all screening participants were uninsured and did not have a primary care physician. Of the participants screened for breast cancer, 84% were uninsured. A total of 39 cancers were diagnosed with 38% of the individuals being from these zip codes. Conclusion Using zip code level data to identify areas within a community that have the highest most immediate need and providing targeted awareness and access to activities in those areas results in higher participation in screening activities by those most at risk of late stage diagnosis.
Learning Areas:
Provision of health care to the public
Learning Objectives:
Discuss how the use of zip code level data can increase screening rates in high needs communities.
Keyword(s): Cancer Prevention and Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an MPH that has worked in public health for seven years with an emphasis on cancer disparities, early detection and education for the past three years. As the Director of Early Detection and Education, I am responsible for the strategic direction of the screening program.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
