Colorectal cancer screening behavior and health insurance status (United States). Cancer Causes Control 2005 Aug;16(6):735-42
Date
07/29/2005Pubmed ID
16049812DOI
10.1007/s10552-005-1228-zScopus ID
2-s2.0-23444448649 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 57 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between health insurance status and CRC screening behavior among a diverse sample of ambulatory patients.
METHODS: Cross-sectional, retrospective study. Quota sampling techniques were used to recruit 52 insured/uninsured patients > or =age 50 from three Midwestern medical clinics (N=104). Data were collected by interviewer-administered CRC screening questionnaires.
RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of the sample was in compliance with CRC testing guidelines. Insured compared to uninsured participants were significantly more likely to have ever completed any testing (77% versus 33%), and were more likely to have undertaken testing according to current US guidelines (62% versus 17%), all ps < 0.001. Insured participants also were significantly more likely than the uninsured to know about, receive physician recommendation to screen, and profess future intent to screen, ps < 0.001. Fewer uninsured participants were tested for routine reasons compared to insured participants. Significant group differences did not emerge on future preference for a particular screening methodology, if testing costs were equal.
CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that CRC screening depends, in part, on health insurance status. Increasing insurance coverage or resources for low-cost, accurate tests may facilitate future screening.
Author List
Matthews BA, Anderson RC, Nattinger ABAuthor
Ann B. Nattinger MD, MPH Associate Provost, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAged, 80 and over
Colonoscopy
Colorectal Neoplasms
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Behavior
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Insurance Coverage
Insurance, Health
Male
Mass Screening
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Sigmoidoscopy
Socioeconomic Factors
