TY - JOUR
T1 - Estimating racial/ethnic disparity in mammography rates
T2 - It all depends on how you ask the question
AU - Fiscella, Kevin
AU - Franks, Peter
AU - Meldrum, Sean
PY - 2004/8
Y1 - 2004/8
N2 - Background. Estimates of racial disparity in mammography appear to differ depending on the data source. This study examined the impact of different survey methodology on estimates of racial disparity in mammography. Methods. Responses from 3,090 women ≥40 years to two different questions from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) were compared when a mammogram was last obtained versus what medical services, including mammography, were obtained over a 4-month interval, aggregated across 1 year. Results. There was no significant racial disparity in 1-year mammography prevalence based on the first question (white-black difference, 3.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.5, 9.2). In contrast, a significant disparity in 1-year mammography prevalence was found based on the medical services question (difference, 13.1%; 95% CI 8.6, 17.6). Disparity estimates by Hispanic ethnicity were similar for the two questions: white-Hispanic difference, 1.6%; 95% CI -4.3, 7.5, and white-Hispanic difference 5% (-0.2, 10.1). Adjustment for age, income, and insurance did not alter these findings. Conclusions. Estimates of racial, but not ethnic, disparities in mammography seem to depend on how the question is asked. These results caution against exclusive reliance on annual self-reports for monitoring disparities in preventive care.
AB - Background. Estimates of racial disparity in mammography appear to differ depending on the data source. This study examined the impact of different survey methodology on estimates of racial disparity in mammography. Methods. Responses from 3,090 women ≥40 years to two different questions from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) were compared when a mammogram was last obtained versus what medical services, including mammography, were obtained over a 4-month interval, aggregated across 1 year. Results. There was no significant racial disparity in 1-year mammography prevalence based on the first question (white-black difference, 3.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.5, 9.2). In contrast, a significant disparity in 1-year mammography prevalence was found based on the medical services question (difference, 13.1%; 95% CI 8.6, 17.6). Disparity estimates by Hispanic ethnicity were similar for the two questions: white-Hispanic difference, 1.6%; 95% CI -4.3, 7.5, and white-Hispanic difference 5% (-0.2, 10.1). Adjustment for age, income, and insurance did not alter these findings. Conclusions. Estimates of racial, but not ethnic, disparities in mammography seem to depend on how the question is asked. These results caution against exclusive reliance on annual self-reports for monitoring disparities in preventive care.
KW - Blacks
KW - Delivery of health care
KW - Ethnic groups
KW - Mammography
KW - Minority groups
KW - Preventive health services
KW - Racial stocks
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=3042586633&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=3042586633&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.02.002
DO - 10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.02.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 15226052
AN - SCOPUS:3042586633
VL - 39
SP - 399
EP - 403
JO - Preventive Medicine
JF - Preventive Medicine
SN - 0091-7435
IS - 2
ER -