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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 65 Research Studies DisplayedSalinas KE, Bazan M, Rivera L
Experiences and communication preferences in pregnancy care among patients with a Spanish language preference: a qualitative study.
The purpose of this study was to explore Spanish-speaking patients' experiences and preferences regarding communication during pregnancy care with specific attention to language barriers. The researchers conducted focus groups with patients with a Spanish language preference who gave birth between July 2022 and February 2023 at an academic medical center. A total of seven focus groups with 27 total participants were held. The study identified three key themes regarding preferences in patient experiences and communication when seeking pregnancy care: 1. language discordance and concordance between patients and clinicians exist on a spectrum and are not binary; 2. language-discordant care presents communication challenges, even when interpreters are present; and 3. language discordance can be effectively addressed with positive interpersonal engagements between clinicians and patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS026370.
Citation: Salinas KE, Bazan M, Rivera L .
Experiences and communication preferences in pregnancy care among patients with a Spanish language preference: a qualitative study.
Obstet Gynecol 2023 Nov 1; 142(5):1227-36. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005369..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Women, Communication, Cultural Competence, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Kerlikowske K, Bissell MCS, Sprague BL
Impact of BMI on prevalence of dense breasts by race and ethnicity.
Researchers evaluated differences in body mass index (BMI) in relation to differences in dense breasts prevalence by race/ethnicity. Their results indicated that dense breasts were most prevalent among Asian women followed by non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and Black women. Clinically important differences in breast density prevalence are present across racial/ethnic groups after accounting for age, menopausal status, and BMI. IMPACT: If breast density is the sole criterion used to notify women of dense breasts and discuss supplemental screening it may result in implementing inequitable screening strategies across racial/ethnic groups.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Kerlikowske K, Bissell MCS, Sprague BL .
Impact of BMI on prevalence of dense breasts by race and ethnicity.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023 Nov; 32(11):1524-30. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.Epi-23-0049..
Keywords: Obesity, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging
Akintunde T, Howard J, Wilson D
Racial and ethnic disparities in long-term contraception use among the birthing population at an academic hospital in the Southeastern United States.
This paper discusses racial and ethnic disparities in long-term contraception among the birthing population at an academic hospital in the Southeastern US. The authors used data from 5011 patients who delivered at a large academic hospital to determine the effect of race/ethnicity and social vulnerability index (SVI) on the odds of undergoing a long-term contraceptive procedure. SVI substantially affects the odds of long-term contraception for non-Hispanic White women and birthing people. In contrast, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black women and birthing people have significantly higher odds of undergoing a long-term contraceptive procedure. These disparities may be attributed to factors including healthcare providers, organizational and external policies.
AHRQ-funded; HS027680.
Citation: Akintunde T, Howard J, Wilson D .
Racial and ethnic disparities in long-term contraception use among the birthing population at an academic hospital in the Southeastern United States.
Proc Hum Factors Ergon Soc Annu Meet 2023 Sep; 67(1):609-13. doi: 10.1177/21695067231192873..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Maternal Care, Women
Blebu BE, Liu PY, Harrington M
Implementation of cross-sector partnerships: a description of implementation factors related to addressing social determinants to reduce racial disparities in adverse birth outcomes.
The purpose of this mixed methods design study was to integrate the perspectives of healthcare staff and community-based partner organizations to describe the implementation of a cross-sector partnership developed for the purpose of addressing social and structural determinants in pregnancy. The researchers utilized in-depth interviews and social network analysis to incorporate the perspectives of healthcare clinicians and staff with the views of community-based partner organizations to identify implementation factors related to cross-sector partnerships. The study identified 7 implementation variables related to 3 themes: strengths of a network approach to cross-sector collaboration, relationship-centered care, and barriers and facilitators of cross-sector partnerships. The study results highlighted establishing relationships between healthcare staff, patients, and community-based partner organizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS026407.
Citation: Blebu BE, Liu PY, Harrington M .
Implementation of cross-sector partnerships: a description of implementation factors related to addressing social determinants to reduce racial disparities in adverse birth outcomes.
Front Public Health 2023 Jun 16; 11:1106740. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1106740..
Keywords: Social Determinants of Health, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Maternal Care, Women, Implementation
Lucchini M, Rayport Y, Valeri L
Racial/ethnic disparities in sleep-disordered breathing during pregnancy in the nuMoM2b study.
This study’s aim was to assess the prevalence and severity of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) across racial/ethnic groups in 3702 pregnant people at 6 to 15 and 22 to 31 weeks gestational age; examine whether BMI modifies the association between race/ethnicity and SDB; and investigate whether interventions to reduce weight might reduce racial/ethnic disparities in SDB. The study cohort consisted of comprised 61.2% non-Hispanic White (nHW), 11.9% non-Hispanic Black (nHB), 18.5% Hispanic, and 3.7% Asian persons. SDB prevalence was higher for nHB compared with nHW pregnant people at 6 to 15 weeks, whereas at 21 to 32 weeks, Asian pregnant people had a higher SDB prevalence than nHW. The severity of SDB differed across racial/ethnic groups in early pregnancy, with nHB pregnant people having a higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) compared with nHW. Having overweight/obesity was associated with a higher AHI.
AHRQ-funded; HS024274.
Citation: Lucchini M, Rayport Y, Valeri L .
Racial/ethnic disparities in sleep-disordered breathing during pregnancy in the nuMoM2b study.
Obesity 2023 Apr;31(4):923-33. doi: 10.1002/oby.23697.
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sleep Problems, Women, Maternal Care
Zuo SW, Ackenbom MF, Harris J
Racial differences in urinary catheter use among female nursing home residents.
This study assessed racial differences in prevalence of indwelling urinary catheterization and intermittent catheterization among female nursing home (NH) residents in the US. This cross-sectional analysis used the 2019 Minimum Data Set 3.0 and looked at a cohort of 597,966 women predominantly White race with a median age of 80 years. Eight percent of female residents had indwelling catheters, and 0.5% used intermittent catheterization. Black residents had a 7% lower odds of having an indwelling catheter, and a 38% lower odds of utilizing intermittent catheterization compared to White residents when controlling for common factors associated with catheter use.
AHRQ-funded; HS026943.
Citation: Zuo SW, Ackenbom MF, Harris J .
Racial differences in urinary catheter use among female nursing home residents.
Urology 2023 Feb; 172:105-10. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2022.11.026..
Keywords: Elderly, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Nursing Homes, Women
Mehra R, Alspaugh A, Dunn JT
"'Oh gosh, why go?' Cause they are going to look at me and not hire": intersectional experiences of Black women navigating employment during pregnancy and parenting.
This study was an analysis of the lived experience of pregnancy among Black pregnant women in New Haven, Connecticut. Twenty-four women participated in semi-structured interviews from January 2017 through August 2018. Interview transcripts were analyzed to describe common experiences. The following three themes were identified: 1) Difficulty seeking employment during pregnant; 2) Experiences on the job and navigating leave and accommodations while pregnant and parenting; and 3) The stressors of experiencing pregnancy discrimination and bias, which influenced financial burden and stress.
AHRQ-funded; HS017589.
Citation: Mehra R, Alspaugh A, Dunn JT .
"'Oh gosh, why go?' Cause they are going to look at me and not hire": intersectional experiences of Black women navigating employment during pregnancy and parenting.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023 Jan 10; 23(1):17. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-05268-9..
Keywords: Pregnancy, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Blebu BE, Kuppermann M, Coleman-Phox K
A qualitative exploration of experiences accessing community and social services among pregnant low-income people of color during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to heightened social and economic stressors for expectant individuals. Although community and social services exist to alleviate stressors during pregnancy (e.g., food insecurity and financial difficulties) and decrease the likelihood of negative maternal outcomes, it remains uncertain how the pandemic influenced access to these resources, especially among low-income communities of color. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of low-income pregnant individuals of color in accessing community and social service resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study on COVID-related factors recruited participants from two sources—a prospective comparative effectiveness study comparing two enhanced prenatal care models and the California Black Infant Health Program between August and November 2020. The researchers conducted 62 interviews with Medicaid-eligible participants in California's Central Valley, asking them to describe their pregnancy-related experiences and the perceived impact of the pandemic on these experiences. The study identified two overarching themes: obstacles in accessing community and social service resources during the pandemic and potential avenues for enhancing access to these resources. Sub-themes regarding challenges encountered encompassed issues with remote access, complex registration procedures for community and social services, and concerns specific to COVID-19 resources (e.g., testing). Sub-themes associated with opportunities for improved access included capitalizing on instrumental support from perinatal staff and informational (e.g., practical) support from other community programs and pregnant peers. Participants suggested improved client experiences could be achieved through increased transparency and enhanced patient-provider communication.
AHRQ-funded; HS026407
Citation: Blebu BE, Kuppermann M, Coleman-Phox K .
A qualitative exploration of experiences accessing community and social services among pregnant low-income people of color during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Womens Health 2023 Jan-Dec;19:17455057231156792. doi: 10.1177/17455057231156792.
Keywords: COVID-19, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income, Women, Pregnancy, Public Health
Interrante JD, Tuttle MS, Admon LK
Severe maternal morbidity and mortality risk at the intersection of rurality, race and ethnicity, and Medicaid.
Using maternal discharge records from childbirth hospitalizations in the HCUP National Inpatient Sample, 2007-15, researchers examined differences in rates of severe maternal morbidity and mortality by rural or urban geography, race and ethnicity, and clinical factors among Medicaid-funded births and privately insured hospital births. The highest rate of severe maternal morbidity and mortality occurred among rural Indigenous Medicaid-funded births; births among Black rural and urban residents and among Hispanic urban residents also experienced elevated rates. The researchers concluded that heightened rates of severe maternal morbidity and mortality among Medicaid-funded births indicate an opportunity for state and federal policy responses to address the maternal health challenges faced by Medicaid beneficiaries, including Black, Indigenous, and rural residents
AHRQ-funded; HS027640.
Citation: Interrante JD, Tuttle MS, Admon LK .
Severe maternal morbidity and mortality risk at the intersection of rurality, race and ethnicity, and Medicaid.
Womens Health Issues 2022 Nov-Dec;32(6):540-49. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2022.05.003..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Maternal Care, Women, Pregnancy, Mortality, Risk, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Medicaid
White VanGompel E, Lai JS, Davis DA
Psychometric validation of a patient-reported experience measure of obstetric racism© (The PREM-OB Scale™ suite).
This study sought to develop a valid patient-reported experience measure (PREM) of Obstetric Racism(©) in hospital-based intrapartum care designed for, by, and with Black women as patient, community, and content experts. The study was conducted using PROMIS© instrument development standards adapted with cultural rigor methodology. The study had 2 phases: Phase 1 included item pool generation, modified Delphi method, and cognitive interviews and Phase 2 evaluated the item pool using factor analysis and item response theory. Items were identified or written to cover 7 previously identified theoretical domains with 806 Black mothers and birthing people completing the pilot test. Good fit indices were indicated with factor analysis. Factor 1 was “Humanity” which had 31 items measuring experiences of safety and accountability, autonomy, communication, and empathy; Factor 2 “Racism” which had 12 items measuring experiences of neglect and mistreatment; and Factor 3 “Kinship” which had 7 items measuring hospital denial and disruption of relationships between Black mothers and their child or support system.
AHRQ-funded; HS028028.
Citation: White VanGompel E, Lai JS, Davis DA .
Psychometric validation of a patient-reported experience measure of obstetric racism© (The PREM-OB Scale™ suite).
Birth 2022 Sep;49(3):514-25. doi: 10.1111/birt.12622..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Patient Experience
Jackson Levin N, Zhang A, Reyes-Gastelum D
Change in worry over time among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
This survey assessed change in worry over time in Hispanic women with thyroid cancer. A total of 273 Hispanic women with thyroid cancer diagnosed in 2014-2015 were recruited from SEER Los Angeles. Participants were surveyed at two points in time: time 1 from 2017 to 2018 and time 2 in 2019 on recurrence, quality of life, family at risk, death, and harm from treatments. Women were surveyed on their amount of worry: high worry (somewhat, quite a bit, very much) or low worry (not at all, a little). The survey showed 20.1-39.6% had high worry at both time 1 and time 2. An additional 7.6-13.4% had low worry at time 1 that evolved into high worry at time 2. Women with younger age (20-39) compared to older (40-79) had higher worry about thyroid cancer recurrence. A history of recurrent or persistent disease was associated with high worry about harms from treatment. Greater number of complications or side effect symptoms was associated with worry across all five items.
AHRQ-funded; HS024512.
Citation: Jackson Levin N, Zhang A, Reyes-Gastelum D .
Change in worry over time among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
J Cancer Surviv 2022 Aug;16(4):844-52. doi: 10.1007/s11764-021-01078-8..
Keywords: Cancer, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Quality of Life, Anxiety
Roberson ML, Nichols HB, Olshan AF
Trends in surgical treatment of early-stage breast cancer reveal decreasing mastectomy use between 2003 and 2016 by age, race, and rurality.
The authors sought to examine trends in the surgical treatment of breast cancer by age, rurality, and among Black women in a populous, racially diverse, state in the Southeastern United States of America. Using data from the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry, they found declining mastectomy rates in the early 2000s in a Southern US state with a racially and geographically diverse population. These decreasing trends were consistent among key subgroups affected by cancer inequities, including Black and White rural women.
AHRQ-funded; HS027299.
Citation: Roberson ML, Nichols HB, Olshan AF .
Trends in surgical treatment of early-stage breast cancer reveal decreasing mastectomy use between 2003 and 2016 by age, race, and rurality.
Breast Cancer Res Treat 2022 Jun;193(2):445-54. doi: 10.1007/s10549-022-06564-w..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Surgery, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Rural Health
Hunte R, Klawetter S, Paul S
"Black nurses in the home is working": advocacy, naming, and processing racism to improve Black maternal and infant health.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how Black women’s health, pregnancy and parenting are impacted by racism, and how the relationship between Black women’s health, pregnancy and parenting and racism-related stress are affected by a culturally-specific perinatal care program. The researchers conducted focus groups and utilized a Black Feminist approach to center the perspectives and lived experiences of Black women. Four themes surfaced in the analysis, including: 1) The widespread reach of structural racism, 2) Trust and healing facilitated through shared identities, 3) Racism directly impacts mental health, and 4) Advocacy at all levels is a vital service. The researchers concluded that structural racism has chronic and toxic effects on Black women’s physical and mental health, and Black perinatal care should include: culturally-specific approaches, advocacy, mental health support with specific attention to racism-related stress, and examination of implicit biases.
AHRQ-funded; HS026370.
Citation: Hunte R, Klawetter S, Paul S .
"Black nurses in the home is working": advocacy, naming, and processing racism to improve Black maternal and infant health.
Matern Child Health J 2022 Apr;26(4):933-40. doi: 10.1007/s10995-021-03283-4..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Newborns/Infants, Cultural Competence
Su WK, Coleman CM, Bossick AS
Racial differences in planned hysterectomy procedure route.
The objective of this study was to assess any racial differences in the likelihood of having a planned minimally invasive surgical (MIS) hysterectomy. Using data from the Henry Ford Health System, findings showed that Black women were not less likely than White women to have planned an MIS hysterectomy.
AHRQ-funded; HS022417
Citation: Su WK, Coleman CM, Bossick AS .
Racial differences in planned hysterectomy procedure route.
J Womens Health 2022 Jan;31(1):31-37. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2021.0132..
Keywords: Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Surgery
Steenland MW, Wilson IB, Matteson KA
Association of Medicaid expansion in Arkansas with postpartum coverage, outpatient care, and racial disparities.
This study’s objective was to measure the association of Medicaid expansion in Arkansas with postpartum coverage, outpatient care, and racial disparities. A total of 60,990 childbirths were reviewed from January 1, 2014 on with a total of 72.3% paid for by Medicaid and 27.7% paid for by a commercial payer. The mean age of the birthing person was 27; with 67% White, 22% Black, and 7% Hispanic. Medicaid expansion in Arkansas was associated with a 27.8 percentage point increase in continuous insurance coverage and an increase in outpatient visits of 0.9 during the first 6 months postpartum, representing relative increases of 54.9% and 75.0%, respectively. Racial disparities in postpartum coverage decreased from 6.3 percentage points before expansion to -2.0 after. However, disparities in outpatient care after expansion persisted between Black and White individuals.
AHRQ-funded; HS027464.
Citation: Steenland MW, Wilson IB, Matteson KA .
Association of Medicaid expansion in Arkansas with postpartum coverage, outpatient care, and racial disparities.
JAMA Health Forum 2021 Dec;2(12):e214167. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.4167..
Keywords: Medicaid, Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Policy, Women, Access to Care
Burris HH, Passarella M, Handley SC
Black-white disparities in maternal in-hospital mortality according to teaching and black-serving hospital status.
This study’s objective was to determine whether black-white disparities in maternal in-hospital mortality during delivery vary across hospital types (black-serving vs non-black and teaching vs non-teaching) and whether overall maternal mortality differs across hospital types. The authors performed a population-based, retrospective cohort study of 5,679,044 deliveries among black (14.2%) and white patients (85.8%) in 3 states (California, Missouri, and Pennsylvania) from 1995 to 2009. Examination of black-white disparities found that after risk adjustment, black patients had significantly greater risk of death and that the disparity was similar within each of the hospital types. At teaching hospitals, mortality was similar in black-serving and nonblack-serving hospitals. Among non-teaching hospitals, mortality was significantly higher in black-serving vs nonblack-serving hospitals. Over half (53%) of black patients delivered in nonteaching black-serving hospitals compared with just 19% of white patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS018661.
Citation: Burris HH, Passarella M, Handley SC .
Black-white disparities in maternal in-hospital mortality according to teaching and black-serving hospital status.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021 Jul;225(1):83.e1-83.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.01.004..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Mortality, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Hospitals
Lange EMS, Toledo P
Peripartum racial/ethnic disparities.
Addressing disparities has been a focus of the US Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People initiative for decades, with the most recent Healthy People 2020 establishing a need for health equity in the United States. In this article, the investigators presented an overview of peripartum racial/ethnic disparities and address potential structural solutions to improve maternal health equity.
AHRQ-funded; HS025267.
Citation: Lange EMS, Toledo P .
Peripartum racial/ethnic disparities.
Int Anesthesiol Clin 2021 Jul 1;59(3):1-7. doi: 10.1097/aia.0000000000000326..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women
Chen DW, Reyes-Gastelum D, Hawley ST
Unmet information needs among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
The authors sought to determine the relationship between acculturation level and unmet information needs among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer. They assessed acculturation with the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics. They found that low-acculturated (vs high-acculturated) Hispanic women with thyroid cancer have greater unmet information needs, emphasizing the importance of patient-focused approaches to providing medical information.
AHRQ-funded; HS024512.
Citation: Chen DW, Reyes-Gastelum D, Hawley ST .
Unmet information needs among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021 Jun 16;106(7):e2680-e87. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab128..
Keywords: Cancer, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Cultural Competence
Pollack LM, Lowder JL, Keller M
Racial/ethnic differences in the risk of surgical complications and posthysterectomy hospitalization among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions.
The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate whether 30- and 90-day surgical complication and postoperative hospitalization rates after hysterectomy for benign conditions differed by race/ethnicity and whether the differences remained after controlling for patient, hospital, and surgical characteristics. The investigators concluded that Black and Asian/Pacific Islander women had higher risk of some 30- and 90-day surgical complications after hysterectomy than white women. Black and Hispanic women had higher risk of posthysterectomy hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Pollack LM, Lowder JL, Keller M .
Racial/ethnic differences in the risk of surgical complications and posthysterectomy hospitalization among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions.
J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2021 May;28(5):1022-32.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2020.12.032..
Keywords: Surgery, Risk, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Adverse Events, Hospitalization, Women
Wegienka G, Stewart EA, Nicholson WK
Black women are more likely than White women to schedule a uterine-sparing treatment for leiomyomas.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in the proportion of uterine fibroid (UF) treatments that were uterine-sparing between Black women and White women and identify factors that could explain disparities. The investigators concluded that in these participants, Black women were more likely to schedule a uterine-sparing UF treatment and a nonsurgical UF treatment than their White counterparts; the researchers indicated that this may not be true for all women though.
AHRQ-funded; HS023418.
Citation: Wegienka G, Stewart EA, Nicholson WK .
Black women are more likely than White women to schedule a uterine-sparing treatment for leiomyomas.
J Womens Health 2021 Mar;30(3):355-66. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8634..
Keywords: Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Surgery
Hill LM, Lightfoot AF, Riggins L
Awareness of and attitudes toward pre-exposure prophylaxis among African American women living in low-income neighborhoods in a Southeastern city.
The authors conducted a venue-based community survey with 53 African American women living in low-income neighborhoods of a Southeastern city in order to understand women's knowledge of and attitudes toward pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). They found that awareness of PrEP was very low, with only 16% being aware that PrEP is used for HIV prevention. The vast majority reported that they would use or would consider using PrEP, most frequently citing a general interest in HIV prevention or a lack of awareness of their partners' HIV status as motivations for their interest. Some women expressed concerns about side effects or low perceived HIV risk as disincentives for PrEP use.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Hill LM, Lightfoot AF, Riggins L .
Awareness of and attitudes toward pre-exposure prophylaxis among African American women living in low-income neighborhoods in a Southeastern city.
AIDS Care 2021 Feb;33(2):239-43. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1769834..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Low-Income, Prevention, Medication
Lee CI, Zhu W, Onega T
Comparative access to and use of digital breast tomosynthesis screening by women's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
This study looked at access to digital breast tomography (DBT) versus regular mammography and whether women of minority race/ethnicity and lower socioeconomic status experienced lower DBT access during the early adoption period and persistently lower DBT use over time. This cross-sectional study included 92 geographically diverse imaging facilities across 5 US states, with over 2.3 million screening examinations performed among women aged 40 to 89 years from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2017. Data were analyzed from June 2019, to August 2020. Women who used DBT increased for all women from 3.3% in 2011 to 82.6% in 2017. In 2012, Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and women with less than a high school education had lower DBT access compared to White women attending the same facility and also college graduates. Lower DBT access continued over time regardless of the number of years after facility-level DBT adoption.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Lee CI, Zhu W, Onega T .
Comparative access to and use of digital breast tomosynthesis screening by women's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Feb;4(2):e2037546. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.37546..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Access to Care, Women, Social Determinants of Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening
Safon CB, Heeren TC, Kerr SM
Disparities in breastfeeding among U.S. Black mothers: identification of mechanisms.
Disparities in U.S. breastfeeding rates persist among Black mothers according to birth country and between Black and White mothers, necessitating further investigation of modifiable mediating factors to inform interventions. This study sought to examine the extent that social, maternal, infant factors and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) domains (attitudes, perceived control, and subjective norms) mediated the association of maternal race/birth country and breastfeeding continuation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Safon CB, Heeren TC, Kerr SM .
Disparities in breastfeeding among U.S. Black mothers: identification of mechanisms.
Breastfeed Med 2021 Feb;16(2):140-49. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2020.0310..
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Maternal Care, Women
Reese TJ, Schlechter CR, Potter LN
Evaluation of revised US Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening guideline among women and racial/ethnic minority populations.
The purpose of this study was to determine the changes associated with the revised USPSTF guideline for lung cancer screening eligibility among female, Black, and Hispanic populations using a large nationwide survey. The investigators concluded that the revised USPSTF guideline may likely increase lung cancer screening rates for female, Black, and Hispanic populations. However, despite these potential improvements, lung cancer screening inequities may persist without tailored eligibility criteria.
AHRQ-funded; HS026198.
Citation: Reese TJ, Schlechter CR, Potter LN .
Evaluation of revised US Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening guideline among women and racial/ethnic minority populations.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Jan;4(1):e2033769. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.33769..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer: Lung Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Bossick AS, Katon JG, Gray KE
Concomitant bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at hysterectomy: differences by race and menopausal status in the Veterans Affairs health care system, 2007-2014.
This study compared race and menopausal status differences in the rate of concomitant bilateral salphino-oopherectomy (BSO) at hysterectomy in the Veterans Affairs health care system from 2007-2014. The authors identified 6,785 Veterans who underwent a hysterectomy, including 2,230 with concomitant BSO. After adjustment premenopausal Black Veterans had 41% lower odds of going through BSO than their White counterparts. There was insufficient evidence in postmenopausal Veterans. Black Veterans were more likely to be single, obese, and undergo abdominal hysterectomy.
AHRQ-funded; HS013853.
Citation: Bossick AS, Katon JG, Gray KE .
Concomitant bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at hysterectomy: differences by race and menopausal status in the Veterans Affairs health care system, 2007-2014.
J Womens Health 2020 Dec;29(12):1513-19. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8503..
Keywords: Surgery, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities