10/17/2005 - LESS THAN HALF OF N.Y. FEMALE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES RECEIVE MAMMOGRAMS

Contact: Dennis Tartaglia/Kelly Peterson

212/481-7000

Spencer Vibbert

516/326-7767 ext. 652

LESS THAN HALF OF N.Y. FEMALE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES RECEIVE MAMMOGRAMS

Third Annual New York Medicare Mammography "Snapshot," Released by IPRO, Also Shows Significant Racial Disparities, Especially in New York City

LAKE SUCCESS, NY -- An analysis of mammography usage in New York State found that less than half of female Medicare beneficiaries received mammograms in a two-year period, and that mammography rates had largely declined over the previous two years. Even fewer minority women in New York City received mammograms - as little as a third. IPRO's third annual "snapshot" of mammography also found that, statewide, minority women received mammograms far less frequently than white women. Disparities held true for black, Asian, Latina, and American Indian women. The analysis by IPRO, an independent health care quality evaluation and improvement organization, looked at female, non-HMO Medicare beneficiaries over age 40.

"These data show that mammography rates for all women in the state need to be improved," says Terry Mahotiere, MD, MPH, Medical Officer at IPRO. "Mammography provides the best method to detect breast cancer when it is still curable. We must increase the usage of screening mammography in our state, especially among women in minority groups where rates are the lowest."

Black women across the state had a mammography rate of 37.8%, showing a 1.5% decrease from the previous two years' data, while the rate for whites was 48.4%, down 1.9%. This year's analysis shows racial disparities exist for Asian, Latina, and American Indian women as well: mammography rates were 34.8% (up 1%), 40.6% (down 2.4%) and 43.6% (down 1.4%), respectively. New York City showed disparities of up to 9.3%, with rates of 34.3% for blacks (down 1%); 31.8% for Asians (up 2.2%); 34.1% for American Indians (up 4.9%); 40% for Latinas (down 2.1%); and 41% for whites (down 1.2%). Minority women upstate did better than their New York City counterparts, although the disparity trend was also evident: Blacks, 46.6% (down 2.8%); Asians, 47.2% (down 3.5%); Latinas, 46.6% (down 4.5%); American Indians, 46.9% (down 2.4%); and whites, 51.9% (down 2.1%).

Mammography rates in the five boroughs were low overall, and ranged from 36.2% in the Bronx (down 1.5%) to 42.1% in Manhattan (down 0.6%), with a city-wide average of 39.1% (down 1.2%). The state average was 46.8% (down 2%) and upstate average was 51.5% (down 2.1%). (View Tables)

For the purposes of this data release, IPRO defined upstate as including all counties outside of New York City and Long Island. Statistics are derived from Medicare claims and represent the most recent data available -- January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004.

"This is a call to action for health care providers to expand participation in mammography improvement initiatives and to develop systems to trigger patient conversations on mammography," says Clare B. Bradley MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, IPRO. "Patient-physician discussions have a strong influence on the patient's behavior and we hope both women and their doctors will initiate these conversations."

IPRO is conducting outreach and providing technical assistance to physician offices statewide, with the goal of increasing mammography rates and the delivery of other preventive health services. IPRO is also promoting cultural competency training among health care professionals and the adoption of information technology in physician offices. In addition, IPRO is providing assistance in identifying quality improvement tools, patient educational materials, and language access services that best meet the needs of the state's culturally and linguistically diverse population to help physicians meet the national Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards. These new standards require health care providers receiving federal funds to develop processes that ensure care is provided in a manner compatible with patients' cultural health beliefs and practices and preferred language.

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 211,000 women will get breast cancer this year and more than 40,000 will die from the disease. As a woman ages, the chances of getting breast cancer increases. Based on a lifespan of 90 years, one in eight women is at risk of developing breast cancer. Studies have shown that screening mammograms are still the best method for early detection and that regular screening mammography can decrease the chance of dying from breast cancer.

Medicare pays for a screening mammogram to detect cancer once a year, and also pays for diagnostic mammograms, when they are furnished by facilities that meet FDA certification requirements.

With over 20 years experience in health care quality evaluation, IPRO holds major contracts with state and federal governments to review the cost and quality of services provided to Medicaid recipients, Medicare beneficiaries, and patients enrolled in managed care organizations. Based in Lake Success, New York, IPRO also holds contracts with private-sector clients to improve the quality of privately financed services.

IPRO's web site has a wealth of information on breast cancer and mammography including educational materials, resource listings and links. In addition, the site enables women to locate an FDA-certified mammography center near them, simply by entering their zip code. The site also has resources for providers. For more information, please visit www.ipro.org. For information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month visit consumers.ipro.org/breast-cancer-aware.