MON-823 Menopause and Hormone Therapy in Minority Groups of South Florida

Abstract Disclosure: C. Dominguez-Bali: None. H.A. Goraya: None. K. McCoy: None. W.K. Massah: None. E. Johnson: None. M.A. Bencomo: None. E.S. Tsehaye: None. M.A. Syed: None. R. Polam: None. A. Dominguez-Bali: None. South Florida’s population is highly diverse, with White Hispanic, White Non-Hispanic, and Black or Afro-American groups representing 55%, 23%, and 16% of the demographic, respectively. This study investigates the impact of sociocultural and medical factors on menopause knowledge and hormone therapy (HT) usage among these ethnic groups, highlighting health disparities in menopause management. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of sociocultural factors on menopause understanding, HT usage, and related healthcare disparities among South Florida’s primary ethnic groups. A retrospective analysis was conducted in medical centers primarily serving 70% Latin Americans, 15% White Americans, 10% Afro-Americans, Africans, and Haitians, and 5% from other races. Data were collected on menopause diagnosis, HT use, and factors influencing treatment compliance or rejection, including cultural attitudes impacting healthcare access, inappropriate insurance coverage, high medication costs, and the consequent outcomes. Minority populations in South Florida face increased risks of delayed diagnosis, suboptimal treatment, and higher rates of comorbidities, due largely to cultural beliefs and myths around menopause. We identified misconceptions, lack of insurance coverage and cultural factors as common reasons for HT rejections, with some patients resuming therapy after gaining a better understanding of its benefits and insurance negotiations. Hispanic women demonstrated unique trends in menopause and HT management compared to other groups. Addressing health disparities in menopause management for South Florida’s minority populations necessitates culturally sensitive interventions, more effective insurance participation, and more accessibility of the therapy costs. Enhanced education and targeted approaches could improve HT compliance and reduce healthcare inequalities. Further research is needed to design and evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in promoting better health outcomes for these communities. Presentation: Monday, July 14, 2025