By Chris Gearon
WASHINGTON, Jul 26 (Reuters Health) - A total of 69% of American women ages
50 and older reported having a mammogram in the past two years, according to a
report released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
(CDC) National Center for Health Statistics.
The report, "Health, United States: 2000," showed that in 1998, nearly seven
out of 10 women ages 50 and older received mammography screening, compared to
61% in 1994. In 1987, only 27% of women in that age group reported having a
mammogram.
And age-adjusted death rates from breast cancer for women dropped to 19
deaths per 100,000 in 1998, compared to 23 in 1990, the report said.
"This is positive news," said Health and Human Services Secretary Donna
Shalala said in a statement. "We've come a long way in educating women about the
importance of early detection as a vital prevention tool in battling breast
cancer."
Women at all income levels showed increases in mammography screening rates,
but only slightly more than half, 53%, of women with family income below the
federal poverty level reported having a mammogram within the prior two years. A
total of 72% of women age 50 and older with incomes at or above the poverty
level reported having a mammogram recently.
"Although we don't have data specifically corroborating (the reasons for
increased screening rates), there have been a lot of things going on," Kate
Prager, a National Center for Health Statistics demographer, told Reuters
Health. In addition to enhanced attention in the media given to the importance
of getting mammograms, Prager said expanded Medicare coverage for annual
mammograms, CDC and National Cancer Institute programs, as well as grassroots
efforts have been factors for higher mammography screening rates.
Other findings in the report include:
-- 29% of uninsured children had not visited a doctor within the previous 12
months, compared 10% of children with health insurance.
-- 45% of uninsured adults had no usual source of health care, compared to
12% of insured adults.
-- Children living in poverty were 50% more likely to visit the emergency
room than children living in families with incomes higher than the poverty
level.
-- 62% of American adults consumed alcoholic beverages in 1998, with 16%
reporting to be former drinkers and 22% lifetime abstainers. Women were twice as
likely to abstain from alcohol than men, 29% versus 15%.
-- and 25% of American adults smoked cigarettes, the same percentage as in
1990.
