Using Data and Strategic Partnerships to Improve Breast Health with African-American Women in Wyandotte County

Authors:

Cynthia Snyder (Presenter)
Kansas Department of Health & Environment

Kelly Nightengale, Kansas Department of Health & Environment
Julie Sergeant, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Mickey Wu, Kansas Department of Health & Environment
Rita Davenport, Kansas Department of Health & Environment
Sue-Min Lai, University of Kansas Medical Center

Public Health Statement: High quality surveillance and program data from areas with populations that experience health disparities can inform strategic planning to ensure greatest impact on cancer screening and access to health care.

Purpose: The purpose of this poster is to describe the Kansas Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (KS BC) partnership with the Wyandotte County Breast Health Task Force to develop focused interventions to improve breast health. Wyandotte County is the state’s lowest ranked county for health outcomes. County surveillance data showed invasive female breast cancer as more commonly diagnosed at the local stage among white women (60.8%) as compared to African American women (54.4%). Program data showed that Wyandotte County had higher ‘no-show’ rates for receipt of services. Health system interventions were designed to increase access, facilitate screening and reduce barriers addressing these challenges.

Methods/Approach: This poster will display partner descriptions, timeline of key events, Wyandotte County specific data, strategies, outcomes, and conclusions. Evaluation of activities included mobile mammography services by KS BC participants, changes in enrollment at pilot sites, ‘no-show’ rates and process evaluation of implementing a patient navigation position.

Results: Three strategies are ongoing: 1) Diagnostic Imaging and Komen announced the purchase of a mobile mammography van and Diagnostic Imaging became a contracted KS BC provider on February 8, 2017. The first KS BC mobile event is scheduled for spring 2017. During the event, women with insurance as well as KS BC eligible women will be served. 2) Wyandotte County Health Department began a pilot program to directly enroll KS BC eligible women, eliminating additional steps with a centralized enrollment. During the first 4 months of the pilot, enrollment at the Wyandotte County Health Department increased 64% over the same months in the previous year. 3) KS BC has requested funding for patient navigation. Navigation is anticipated to increase the number of women receiving services, increase health education and increase cancer screening rates among all the health department clients.

Conclusions/Implications: Disparities identified by public health data, and community voiced needs were the catalyst for implementation of evidence-based strategies. Diverse partnerships enriched the available options for improving health as each partner contributed new strengths and opportunities.