The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42808

Edwin D. Huff, PhD, Division of Clinical Standards and Quality, HCFA, Government Center, JFK Federal Building , Room 2350, Boston, MA 02203-0003, Cynthia Mannis, RN, BSN, Director, Performance Improvement, Quality Insights of Delaware, 1847 Marsh Road, Plaza III, Wilmington, DE 19810, 302-475-8100 x114, EHuff@hcfa.gov, Chris Gibbons, MD, MPH, Urban Health Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 111 Market St., Suite 850, Baltimore, MD 21202-4036, and John Hebb, PhD, MBA, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, CMS, 7500 Security Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21244.

Considerable evidence continues to emerge documenting the persistence of health and healthcare disparities. There exists far less data regarding effective interventions to reduce or eliminate these disparities. The Medicare program has initiated several ongoing initiatives designed to identify and promote best practices in Cancer prevention and treatment among underserved beneficiary populations. Quality Information Organizations (QIO's) have been tasked by Medicare to identify an existing disparity in one of six priority disease areas and implement interventions to reduce the rate of disparity. Evaluation of interventions will be based in part, on one of twenty-one process of care quality indicators developed by the Medicare program. Quality Insights of Delaware, the Delaware Medicare QIO, implemented a project designed to reduce the rate of disparity in mammography screening rates among African-American Medicare eligible women. The methodology employed was an adaptation of "Training the Trainer" model. The approach was guided by both qualitative and quantitative formative research and evaluation based on Medicare administrative Part A and Part B claims. Preliminary results indicate a 45% reduction in the rate of disparity in the intervention group with corresponding lack of change or minimal increase in the two control groups. The presenter will briefly discuss the details of the intervention, results and pertinent policy implications.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to

• Describe basic qualitative and quantitative techniques helpful in planning effective screening mammography interventions in senior African-Americans populations.
• List at least three elements imporatant in the design of an effective mammography promotion program among senior African-American women.
• Develop more effective interventions employing techniques and principles described above.

Keywords: African American, Breast Cancer Programs

Related Web page: www.medicare.gov

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.