Wendy M. Whitner, MPH, PhD Candidate, Manager, Bone Health, Quality and Health Management, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States, 2101 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852, 301-816-7207, wendy.m.whitner@kp.org

Osteoporosis is a significant public health problem that is usually under diagnosed and untreated until after a fracture occurs. There are 10 million US adults aged 50 and older who have osteoporosis with an additional 34 million who are at increase risk for fracture due to low bone mass. Recent research indicates minority populations are susceptible to osteoporosis. However, few minority women are aware they have the disease or that they are at risk. This study reports on findings of a study that sought to determine significant ethnic minority and non-minority differences among postmenopausal women (n=418) of a managed care organization’s mobile osteoporosis screening and prevention program. The mobile osteoporosis screening and prevention program consists of a radiology technologist providing bone density studies along with face to face osteoporosis prevention counseling to patients. Postmenopausal women aged 65 and above with significant risk factors for osteoporosis who had visited the mobile unit from 2002 until 2003 were randomly selected. Eight hundred thirty-six women were randomly selected to participate of which only 418 women returned completed survey materials yielding a 51 percent response rate. The study implemented the Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz and a patient satisfaction survey with a section to determine osteoporosis behavior change to access differences in accordance to Donabedian’s framework of quality constructs. There was a statistically significant difference found in the perception of overall satisfaction along with osteoporosis knowledge, quality of life, and access (p< .05).

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of this session, participants will be able to discuss the barriers of osteoporosis screening and prevention efforts for postmenopausal women of various ethnic backgrounds.
• By the end of this session, participants will obtain an understanding of why it is important to promote osteoporosis screening and prevention programs to minority populations.
• The participants will describe Donabedian’s framework of quality to evaluate osteoporosis screening and prevention program effectiveness.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
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