title: Examining the Influence of Cost Concern and Awareness of Low-cost Health Care on Cancer Screening among the Medically Underserved.
abstract: African Americans suffer a greater burden of mortality from breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers than other groups in the United States. Early detection through timely screening can improve survival outcomes; however, cost is frequently reported as a barrier to screening. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) provide preventive and primary care to underserved populations regardless of ability to pay, positioning them to improve cancer screening rates. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of concern about health care cost (cost concern) and awareness of low-cost health care (awareness) on cancer screening among 236 African Americans within an FQHC service area using self-report surveys. Multiple logistic regression indicated that awareness was positively associated with cervical and colorectal cancer screening, while cost concern was negatively associated with mammography screening. Results indicate that improving awareness and understanding of low-cost health care could increase cancer screening among underserved African Americans.
authors.forename: Alicia L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Best
authors.forename: Alcha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strane
authors.forename: Omari
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.forename: Shalanda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bynum
authors.forename: Jaqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiltshire
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064876:Safety-net Providers / Q000191:economics*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult