Reminders can eliminate breast screening disparities

Targeted text reminders and other interventions erase disparities related to breast cancer screening, the results of which were published April 19 in Population Health Management, says Illinois-based OSF Healthcare.

The study, which included over 4,342 women, found that the rate of mammogram screening more than doubled following the interventions, from 5.4% to 11% of eligible Medicaid patients. Text message reminders, educational content, and phone calls were used as interventions for the patients.

The researchers also found that after targeted interventions were introduced, patients with Medicaid had a group screening rate that was 3.7% higher than patients with commercial insurance who received no intervention. Before, that rate was 2.6% lower than those with private insurance.