Routine preventive services for older women: a composite measure highlights gaps in delivery

We used a composite measure to examine the delivery of routine clinical preventive services to U.S. women aged 50-64 years and > or =65 years in 2004.

We analyzed state data from the 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and created a composite measure that included screening of women > or =50 years for colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, vaccination against influenza, and, for women aged > or =65 years only, pneumococcal vaccination. The composite measure quantified the percentage of women who were up-to-date (UTD) according to recommended schedules for these services.

Approximately 23% of women aged 50-64 years and 32.5% of women aged > or =65 years were UTD in 2004. Results varied by education, race/ethnicity, marriage status, insurance status, and health status. There was also considerable geographic variation in state-specific UTD estimates, ranging from 16.7% (California) to 38.4% (Minnesota) for women aged 50-64 years and from 25.7% (Indiana) to 48.5% (Minnesota) for women aged > or =65 years.

Although rates for some individual services were > or =75%, the percentage of women aged 50-64 years and > or =65 years UTD on all routinely recommended cancer screenings and vaccinations was low, with <1 in 3 being UTD.