Examining low Mammogram Rates in Native American Populations in Arizona and New Mexico

Introduction: Despite improvements in technology over the last several decades, breast cancer incidence and mortality rates have remained steady among the Native American population. This is in direct contrast to the general United States population which has seen substantial decreases in these incidence and mortality rates. A key factor in eliminating breast cancer and saving lives is undergoing mammogram screenings. While mammogram screenings are of crucial importance, many Native American women lack equitable access to healthcare resources and as a result face unnecessary health challenges. Several social determinants of health could be playing a key role in these mammogram screening and breast cancer incidence rates.Methods: We used data from the Wisconsin Population Institute County Health Rankings. With SPSS software, we analyzed data from Arizona and New Mexico to explore what factors were causing lower mammogram rates in counties with a higher percentage of Native Americans in the population.Results: Mammogram screening rates showed a significant decrease across all populations, with an inverse correlation between areas with high Native American populations and those receiving mammograms. Furthermore, counties ranked in lower health quartiles tend to have higher Native American populations and are associated with a lower percentage of individuals earning an income in the top 20%.Conclusion: There are several barriers impacting Native American women that are affecting their ability to receive quality healthcare treatment. Addressing these barriers and focusing onpreventative care is essential to improving their quality of life and helping them receive the treatment they need.