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BACKGROUND: Most U.S. states require written notification of breast density after mammograms, yet effects of notifications on knowledge are mixed. Little is known about potential misunderstandings. METHODS: We used a sequential mixed-methods study design to assess women's knowledge about breast density, after receiving a notification. We conducted a telephone survey among a racially/ethnically and health-literacy level diverse sample (N = 754) and qualitative interviews with 61 survey respondents. RESULTS: In survey results, 58% of women correctly indicated that breast density is not related to touch, with higher accuracy among non-Hispanic White women and those with greater health literacy. Next, 87% of women recognized that breast density is identified visually via mammogram, with no significant differences in responses by race/ethnicity or health literacy. Most (81%) women recognized that a relationship exists between breast tissue types and density; Non-Hispanic White women were less likely to respond correctly. Only 47% of women correctly indicated that having dense breasts increases one's risk of breast cancer; women with low health literacy were more often correct. Qualitative results revealed additional dimensions of understanding: Some women incorrectly reported that density could be felt, or dense breasts were lumpier, thicker, or more compacted; others identified “dense” tissue as fatty. Interpretations of risk included that breast density was an early form of breast cancer. CONCLUSION: We found areas of consistent knowledge and identified misperceptions surrounding breast density across race/ethnicity and health literacy levels. Further education to address disparities and correct misunderstandings is essential to promote better knowledge, to foster informed decisions.

This Viewpoint discusses the use of breast density notifications to inform women with dense breast tissue of the potential need for supplemental cancer screening, as well as the need to ensure that such notifications are clear and understandable to women of all language backgrounds, literacy levels, educational levels, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Background Alcohol screening and brief intervention have demonstrated efficacy but limited effectiveness and implementation in real-world primary care settings. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a computerized Relational Agent programmed to provide alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment. We hypothesized that participants in the experimental condition would report greater reductions in their drinking and higher rates of brief intervention and referrals to specialty care compared to those in treatment as usual (TAU). Design This was a Hybrid I implementation design and stratified RCT. Participants were randomized to TAU or Relational Agent + TAU and assessed at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Participants A total of 178 veteran participants were recruited by referral from primary care staff after a positive alcohol screen, or via letter sent do patients screening positive during recent visit. Intervention(s) TAU involved yearly reminders to screen alcohol use and provide brief intervention and treatment referrals, as needed. The Relational Agent added an automated brief intervention, a 1-month follow-up Relational Agent visit, and referral to treatment if needed. Main Measures We measured average drinks per day, drinking days per week, number of brief interventions, and number of referrals over 3 months. Key Results Participants decreased their drinking in both study conditions, with no significant between-group differences on primary alcohol measures. However, Relational Agent + TAU participants evidenced greater improvements regarding negative alcohol-related consequences over 3 months, and were significantly more likely to receive a brief intervention and referral to specialty care. Conclusions The Relational Agent successfully provided brief intervention and referred many more patients to specialty care and was able to intervene with patients with less severe drinking without increasing primary care burden. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02030288, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11606-021-06945-9.

Racial/ethnic disparities in glycemic control—a key diabetes outcome measure—continue to widen, even though the overall prevalence of glycemic control in the United States has improved. Health insurance coverage may be associated with improved glycemic control, but few studies examine effects during a period of policy change. We assessed changes in glycemic control by racial/ethnic groups following the Massachusetts Health Insurance Reform for patients at two urban safety-net academic health systems between January 2005 and December 2013. We analyzed outcomes for three measures of poor glycemic control: 1) lack of a hemoglobin A1C (A1C) measure during a six-month period; 2) A1C ≥8%; 3) A1C >9% before, during, and after implementation of insurance reform. We did not find increased rates of A1C monitoring or control following insurance reform overall or for specific racial/ethnic groups. We found evidence of worsened, not improved, glycemic control in some racial/ethnic groups in the post-reform period. The expansion of affordable insurance coverage was not associated with improved glycemic control in vulnerable populations.

Objective Understanding whether states’ breast density notifications are associated with desired effects, or disparities, can inform federal policy. We examined self-reported receipt of personal breast density information, breast density discussions with providers, knowledge about density’s masking effect, and association with increased breast cancer risk by state legislation status and women’s sociodemographic characteristics. Methods Cross-sectional observational population-based telephone survey of women aged >40 years who underwent mammography within prior 2 years, had no history of breast cancer, and had heard the term “breast density.” Results Among 2,306 women, 57% received personal breast density information. Multivariate regression models adjusted for covariates indicated that women in notification states were 1.5 times more likely to receive density information, and older Black and Asian women of lower income and lower health literacy were less likely. Overall, only 39% of women discussed density with providers; women in notification states were 1.75 times as likely. Older and Asian women were less likely to have spoken with providers; women with high literacy or prior biopsy were more likely. State legislation status was not associated with differences in density knowledge, but Hispanic women and women of lower income or low health literacy had less knowledge regarding density’s masking effects; older women were more knowledgeable. Hispanic women and women of lower income or low health literacy were more likely, and middle-aged women less likely, to recognize increased breast cancer risk. Discussion Some positive effects were observed, but sociodemographic disparities suggest tailoring of future breast density communications for specific populations of women to ensure equitable understanding.

Starting breast cancer screening at age 40 versus 50 may increase potential harms frequency with a small mortality benefit. Younger women’s screening decisions, therefore, may be complex. Shared decision-making (SDM) is recommended for women under 50 and may support women under 55 for whom guidelines vary. How women with limited health literacy (LHL) approach breast cancer screening decision-making is less understood, and most SDM tools are not designed with their input. This phenomenological study sought to characterize mammography counseling experiences among women with LHL and primary care providers (PCPs). Women ages 40–54 with LHL who had no history of breast cancer or mammogram within 9 months were approached before a primary care visit at a safety-net hospital. PCPs at this site were invited to participate. Qualitative interviews explored mammography counseling experiences. Patients also reviewed sample information materials. A constant comparison technique generated four themes salient to 25 patients and 20 PCPs: addressing family history versus comprehensive risk assessment; potential mammography harms discussions; information delivery preferences; and integrating pre-visit information tools. Findings suggest that current counseling techniques may not be responsive to patient-identified needs. Opportunities exist to improve how mammography information is shared and increase accessibility across the health literacy spectrum.

Background Deprescribing, or the intentional discontinuation or dose-reduction of medications, is an approach to reduce harms associated with inappropriate medication use. We sought to determine how direct-to-patient educational materials impacted patient-provider discussion about and deprescribing of potentially inappropriate medications. Methods We conducted a pre-post pilot trial, using an historical control group, at an urban VA medical center. We included patients in one of two cohorts: 1) chronic proton pump inhibitor users (PPI), defined as use of any dose for 90 consecutive days, or 2) patients at hypoglycemia risk, defined by diabetes diagnosis; prescription for insulin or sulfonylurea; hemoglobin A1c Results The 348 subjects (253 intervention, 95 historical control) were primarily age ≥ 65 years, white, and male. Compared to control subjects, intervention subjects were more likely to have deprescribing (36 [14.2%] vs. 4 [4.2%], p = 0.009) and discussions about the target medication (31 [12.3%] vs. 1 [1.1%], p = 0.001). Conclusions Targeted mailings of EMPOWER brochures temporally linked to a scheduled visit in primary care clinics are a low-cost, low-technology method associated with increases in both deprescribing and documentation of patient-provider medication discussions in a Veteran population. Leveraging the potential for patients to initiate deprescribing discussions within clinical encounters is a promising strategy to reduce drug burden and decrease adverse drug effects and harms.

BACKGROUND: Limited health literacy is a driver of cancer disparities and associated with less participation in medical decisions. Mammography screening decisions are an exemplar of where health literacy may impact decision-making and outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To describe informational needs and shared decision-making (SDM) experiences among women ages 40–54 who have limited health literacy and primary care providers (PCPs). DESIGN: Qualitative, in-depth interviews explored experiences with mammography counseling and SDM. PARTICIPANTS: Women ages 40–54 with limited health literacy and no history of breast cancer or mammogram in the prior 9 months were approached before a primary care visit at a Boston academic, safety-net hospital. PCPs practicing at this site were eligible for PCP interviews. APPROACH: Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A set of deductive codes for each stakeholder group was developed based on literature and the interview guide. Inductive codes were generated during codebook development. Codes were compared within and across patient and PCP interviews to create themes relevant to mammography decision-making. KEY RESULTS: The average age of 25 interviewed patients was 46.5; 18 identified as black, 3 as Hispanic, 2 as non-Hispanic white, and 2 had no recorded race or ethnicity. Of 20 PCPs, 15 were female; 12 had practiced for >5 years. Patients described a lack of technical (appropriate tests and what they do) and process (what happens during a mammogram visit) knowledge, viewing these as necessary for decision-making. PCPs were reluctant to engage patients with limited health literacy in SDM due to time constraints and feared that increased information might confuse patients or deter them from having mammograms. Both groups felt pre-visit education would facilitate mammography-related SDM during clinical visits. CONCLUSION: Both patients and PCPs perceived a need for tools to relay technical and process knowledge about mammography prior to clinical encounters to address the scope of information that patients with limited health literacy desired. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s11606-020-06213-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Stable health insurance is often associated with better chronic disease care and outcomes. Racial/ethnic health disparities in outcomes are prevalent and may be associated with insurance instability, particularly in the context of health insurance reform. Methods We examined whether insurance instability was associated with uncontrolled blood pressure (UBP) and whether this association varied by race/ethnicity. We used a retrospective longitudinal observational cohort study of patients diagnosed with hypertension who obtained care within two health systems in Massachusetts. We measured the UBP, insurance instability, and race of 43,785 adult primary care patients, age 21–64 with visits from 1/2005–12/2013. Results We found higher rates of UBP for blacks and Hispanics at each time point over the entire 9 years. Insurance instability was associated with greater rates of UBP. Always uninsured black patients fared worst, while white and Hispanic patients with consistent public insurance fared best. Conclusions Stable insurance of any type was associated with better hypertension control than no or unstable insurance.

Social determinants of health (SDoH) are the conditions in which people live and work that shape access to essential social and economic resources. Calls for healthcare systems to intervene on unmet social needs have stimulated several large-scale initiatives across the country. Yet, such activities are underway in the absence of a unifying conceptual framework outlining the potential mechanisms by which healthcare-based unmet social need interventions can improve health outcomes. Drawing on theoretical foundations and empirical evidence about the relationship between unmet social needs and health, the authors developed the OASIS (Outcomes from Addressing SDoH in Systems) conceptual framework to map the known and hypothesized pathways by which unmet social need screening and referral interventions may impact outcomes. The OASIS framework may help guide policy makers, healthcare system leaders, clinicians, and researchers to utilize a more unified approach in their efforts to implement and evaluate unmet social need interventions and thus foster the development of an evidence base to inform healthcare systems to more effectively mitigate the consequences of unmet social needs. Adopting an overarching conceptual framework for addressing unmet social needs by healthcare systems holds promise for better achieving health equity and promoting health at the individual and population levels.

ImportanceBreast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Despite the proliferation of mandated written notifications about breast density following mammography, there is little understanding of how women perceive the relative breast cancer risk associated with breast density.ObjectiveTo assess women’s perception of breast density compared with other breast cancer risks and explore their understanding of risk reduction.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis mixed-methods qualitative study used telephone surveys and semistructured interviews to investigate perceptions about breast cancer risk among a nationally representative, population-based sample of women. Eligible study participants were aged 40 to 76 years, reported having recently undergone mammography, had no history of prior breast cancer, and had heard of breast density. Survey participants who had been informed of their personal breast density were invited for a qualitative interview. Survey administration spanned July 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020, with 2306 women completing the survey. Qualitative interviews were conducted from February 1 to May 30, 2020.Main Outcomes and MeasuresRespondents compared the breast cancer risk associated with breast density with 5 other risk factors. Participants qualitatively described what they thought contributed to breast cancer risk and ways to reduce risk.ResultsOf the 2306 women who completed the survey, 1858 (166 [9%] Asian, 503 [27%] Black, 268 [14%] Hispanic, 792 [43%] White, and 128 [7%] other race or ethnicity; 358 [19%] aged 40-49 years, 906 [49%] aged 50-64 years, and 594 [32%] aged ≥65 years) completed the revised risk perception questions and were included in the analysis. Half of respondents thought breast density to be a greater risk than not having children (957 [52%]), having more than 1 alcoholic drink per day (975 [53%]), or having a prior breast biopsy (867 [48%]). Most respondents felt breast density was a lesser risk than having a first-degree relative with breast cancer (1706 [93%]) or being overweight or obese (1188 [65%]). Of the 61 women who were interviewed, 6 (10%) described breast density as contributing to breast cancer risk, and 43 (70%) emphasized family history as a breast cancer risk factor. Of the interviewed women, 17 (28%) stated they did not know whether it was possible to reduce their breast cancer risk.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this qualitative study of women of breast cancer screening age, family history was perceived as the primary breast cancer risk factor. Most interviewees did not identify breast density as a risk factor and did not feel confident about actions to mitigate breast cancer risk. Comprehensive education about breast cancer risks and prevention strategies is needed.

OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence of disparate uptake of breast density (BD) information, little is known about diverse women’s preferences for and experiences learning about BD. METHODS: Telephone survey among 2,306 racially/ethnically and literacy diverse women; qualitative interviews with 61 survey respondents. Responses by participant race/ethnicity and literacy were examined using bivariate, then multivariable analyses. Interviews were content-analyzed for themes. RESULTS: Most women (80%) preferred learning of personal BD from providers, with higher rates among Non-Hispanic Black (85%) than Non-Hispanic White women (80%); and among Non-Hispanic White than Asian women (72%, all ps

Background Prior studies have identified lower mortality in Black Veterans compared with White Veterans after hospitalization for common medical conditions, but these studies adjusted for comorbid conditions identified in administrative claims. Objectives The objectives of this study were to compare mortality for non-Hispanic White (hereafter, "White"), non-Hispanic Black (hereafter, "Black"), and Hispanic Veterans hospitalized for heart failure (HF) and pneumonia and determine whether observed mortality differences varied according to whether claims-based comorbid conditions and/or clinical variables were included in risk-adjustment models. Research design This was an observational study. Subjects The study cohort included 143,520 admissions for HF and 127,782 admissions for pneumonia for Veterans hospitalized in 132 Veterans Health Administration (VA) Medical Centers between January 2009 and September 2015. Measures The primary independent variable was racial/ethnic group (ie, Black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White), and the outcome was all-cause mortality 30 days following admission. To compare mortality by race/ethnicity, we used logistic regression models that included different combinations of claims-based, clinical, and sociodemographic variables. For each model, we estimated the average marginal effect (AME) for Black and Hispanic Veterans relative to White Veterans. Results Among the 143,520 (127,782) hospitalizations for HF (pneumonia), the average patient age was 71.6 (70.9) years and 98.4% (97.1%) were male. The unadjusted 30-day mortality rates for HF (pneumonia) were 7.2% (11.0%) for White, 4.1% (10.4%) for Black and 8.4% (16.9%) for Hispanic Veterans. Relative to White Veterans, when only claims-based variables were used for risk adjustment, the AME (95% confidence interval) for the HF [pneumonia] cohort was -2.17 (-2.45, -1.89) [0.08 (-0.41, 0.58)] for Black Veterans and 1.32 (0.49, 2.15) [4.51 (3.65, 5.38)] for Hispanic Veterans. When clinical variables were incorporated in addition to claims-based ones, the AME, relative to White Veterans, for the HF [pneumonia] cohort was -1.57 (-1.88, -1.27) [-0.83 (-1.31, -0.36)] for Black Veterans and 1.50 (0.71, 2.30) [3.30 (2.49, 4.11)] for Hispanic Veterans. Conclusions Compared with White Veterans, Black Veterans had lower mortality, and Hispanic Veterans had higher mortality for HF and pneumonia. The inclusion of clinical variables into risk-adjustment models impacted the magnitude of racial/ethnic differences in mortality following hospitalization. Future studies examining racial/ethnic disparities should consider including clinical variables for risk adjustment.

Background – Deprescribing, or the intentional discontinuation or dose-reduction of medications, is a patient-centered approach to reduce harms associated with inappropriate medication use. We sought to determine how direct-to-patient educational materials impacted patient-provider discussion about and deprescribing of potentially inappropriate medications.Methods – We conducted a pre-post with historical control group pilot feasibility trial at an urban VA medical center. We included patients in one of two medication-based cohorts: 1) proton pump inhibitor (PPI), defined as use of any dose for 90 consecutive days, or 2) hypoglycemia risk, defined by diabetes diagnosis; prescription for insulin or sulfonylurea; hemoglobin A1c >65 years, renal insufficiency, or cognitive impairment. The intervention consisted of mailing medication-specific patient-centered EMPOWER (Eliminating Medications Through Patient Ownership of End Results) brochures, adapted to a Veteran patient population, two weeks prior to scheduled primary care appointments. Our primary outcome – deprescribing – was defined as clinical documentation of target medication discontinuation or dose-reduction. Our secondary outcome was documentation of a discussion about the target medication (yes/possible vs. no/absent). Covariates included age, sex, race, specified comorbidities, medications, and utilization. We used chi-square tests to examine the association of receiving brochures with each outcome.Results – The 348 subjects (253 intervention, 95 historical control) were primarily age >65 years, white, and male. Compared to control subjects, intervention subjects were more likely to have deprescribing (36 [14.2%] vs. 4 [4.2%], p=0.009) and discussions about the target medication (31 [12.3%] vs. 1 [1.1%], p=0.001). Conclusions – Targeted mailings of EMPOWER brochures temporally linked to a scheduled visit in primary care clinics are a low-cost, low-technology method that successfully increased both deprescribing and documentation of patient-provider medication discussions in a Veteran population. Leveraging the ability of patients to drive medication prescribing changes within clinical encounters has potential to reduce drug burden and decrease adverse drug effects and harms.

Objective: This study examined whether health insurance stability was associated with improved type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) control and reduced racial/ethnic health disparities.Methods: We utilized electronic medical record data (2005-2013) from two large, urban academic health systems with a racially/ethnically diverse patient popula­tion to examine insurance coverage, and three DM outcomes (poor diabetes control, A1c ≥8.0%; very poor diabetes control A1c >9.0%; and poor BP control, ≥ 130/80 mm Hg) and one DM management outcome (A1c monitoring). We used generalized estimating equations adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, site of care, education, and income. Additional analysis examined if insurance stability (stable public or private insurance over the six-month internal) moderates the impact of race/ethnicity on DM outcomes.Results: Nearly 50% of non-Hispanic (NH) Whites had private insurance cover­age, compared with 33.5% of NH Blacks, 31.5% of Asians, and 31.1% of Hispanics. Overall, and within most racial/ ethnic groups, insurance stability was associated with better glycemic control compared with those with insurance switches or always being uninsured, with uninsured NH Blacks having significantly worse BP control. More NH Black and Hispanic patients had poorly controlled (A1c≥8%) and very poorly controlled (A1c>9%) diabetes across all insurance stability types than NH Whites or Asians. The interaction between insurance instability and race/ethnic groups was statis­tically significant for A1c monitoring and BP control, but not for glycemic control.Conclusion: Stable insurance coverage was associated with improved DM outcomes for all racial / ethnic groups, but did not eliminate racial ethnic disparitiesEthn Dis. 2021;31(1):149-158; doi:10.18865/ed.31.1.149

Given the diversity of military veterans and growing evidence of ethnoracial disparities in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within this population, elucidating the role of discrimination-related stress in contributing to these disparities is crucial. We examined the relative impact of discriminatory stress (i.e., due to race/ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or physical appearance) on 6-month changes in PTSD symptom severity among trauma-exposed White (74%), Black (11%) and Hispanic/Latino/a/x (15%) veterans (17% female). PTSD symptoms were measured with the 8-item PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. A measure of the extent to which discrimination has caused stress for the respondent assessed discriminatory stress. Hierarchical regression analyses examined interactions among race/ethnicity, gender and discriminatory stress in predicting six-month changes in PTSD severity. Black and Hispanic/Latino/a/x veterans reported higher baseline PTSD severity and discriminatory stress than White veterans, with some variation by gender. Three-way interactions of race/ethnicity by discriminatory stress by gender were significant, controlling for income, education and age. The relationship between discriminatory stress and increases in PTSD severity was significantly stronger for Black women compared with Black men and did not differ between White men and women. There was also a stronger relationship between discriminatory stress and increases in PTSD severity for Hispanic/Latino/x men as compared to Black men. These findings suggest that discriminatory stress impacts PTSD severity differentially for various ethnoracial/gender groups and highlight the value of applying an intersectional framework that accounts for the synergistic connections among multiple identities to future screening, intervention, and research efforts.

Background Patients’ life contexts are increasingly recognized as important, as evidenced by growing attention to the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). This attention may be particularly valuable for patients with complex needs, like those with HIV, who are more likely to experience age-related comorbidities, mental health or substance use issues. Understanding patient perceptions of their life context can advance SDoH approaches. Objectives We sought to understand how aging patients with HIV think about their life context and explored if and how their reported context was documented in their electronic medical records (EMRs). Design We combined life story interviews and EMR data to understand the health-related daily life experiences of patients with HIV. Patients over 50 were recruited from two US Department of Veterans Affairs HIV clinics. Narrative analysis was used to organize data by life events and health-related metrics. Key results EMRs of 15 participants documented an average of 19 diagnoses and 10 medications but generally failed to include social contexts salient to patients. In interviews, HIV was discussed primarily in response to direct interviewer questions. Instead, participants raised past trauma, current social engagement, and concern about future health with varying salience. This led us to organize the narratives temporally according to past-, present-, or future-orientation. “Past-focused” narratives dwelled on unresolved experiences with social institutions like the school system, military or marriage. “Present-focused” narratives emphasized daily life challenges, like social isolation. “Future-focused” narratives were dominated by concerns that aging would limit activities. Conclusions A temporally informed understanding of patients’ life circumstances that are the foundation of their individualized SDoH could better focus care plans by addressing contextual concerns salient to patients. Trust-building may be a critical first step in caring for past-focused patients. Present-focused patients may benefit from support groups. Future-focused patients may desire discussing long term care options.

Key Points Question Does risk adjustment for socioeconomic status change Veterans Affairs Medical Centers’ rankings for mortality rates after hospitalization for heart failure and pneumonia? Findings In this cross-sectional analysis, Veterans Affairs medical centers’ mortality rates were highly correlated in models that included or did not include socioeconomic factors, and few medical centers’ rates were associated with substantial changes in risk-adjusted mortality after adjustment for socioeconomic status. Meaning This study’s finding suggest that Veterans Affairs medical centers’ performance on mortality measures after hospitalization for heart failure and pneumonia were minimally changed after risk adjustment for socioeconomic factors., Importance Socioeconomic factors are associated with worse outcomes after hospitalization, but neither the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) nor the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system adjust for socioeconomic factors in profiling hospital mortality. Objective To evaluate changes in Veterans Affairs medical centers’ (VAMCs’) risk-standardized mortality rates among veterans hospitalized for heart failure and pneumonia after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study, retrospective data were used to assess 131 VAMCs’ risk-standardized 30-day mortality rates with or without adjustment for socioeconomic covariates. The study population included 42 892 veterans hospitalized with heart failure and 39 062 veterans hospitalized with pneumonia from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2014. Data were analyzed from March 1, 2019, to April 1, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was 30-day mortality after admission. Socioeconomic covariates included neighborhood disadvantage, race/ethnicity, homelessness, rurality, nursing home residence, reason for Medicare eligibility, Medicaid and Medicare dual eligibility, and VA priority. Results The study population included 42 892 veterans hospitalized with heart failure (98.2% male; mean [SD] age, 71.9 [11.4] years) and 39 062 veterans hospitalized with pneumonia (96.8% male; mean [SD] age, 71.0 [12.4] years). The addition of socioeconomic factors to the CMS models modestly increased the C statistic from 0.77 (95% CI, 0.77-0.78) to 0.78 (95% CI, 0.78-0.78) for 30-day mortality after heart failure and from 0.73 (95% CI, 0.72-0.73) to 0.74 (95% CI, 0.73-0.74) for 30-day mortality after pneumonia. Mortality rates were highly correlated (Spearman correlations of ≥0.98) in models that included or did not include socioeconomic factors. With the use of the CMS model for heart failure, VAMCs in the lowest quintile had a mean (SD) mortality rate of 6.0% (0.4%), those in the middle 3 quintiles had a mean (SD) mortality rate of 7.2% (0.4%), and those in the highest quintile had a mean (SD) mortality rate of 8.8% (0.6%). After the inclusion of socioeconomic covariates, the adjusted mean (SD) mortality was 6.1% (0.4%) for hospitals in the lowest quintile, 7.2% (0.4%) for those in the middle 3 quintiles, and 8.6% (0.5%) for those in the highest quintile. The mean absolute change in rank after socioeconomic adjustment was 3.0 ranking positions (interquartile range, 1.0-4.0) among hospitals in the highest quintile of mortality after heart failure and 4.4 ranking positions (interquartile range, 1.0-6.0) among VAMCs in the lowest quintile. Similar findings were observed for mortality rankings in pneumonia and after inclusion of clinical covariates. Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests that adjustments for socioeconomic factors did not meaningfully change VAMCs’ risk-adjusted 30-day mortality rates for veterans hospitalized for heart failure and pneumonia. The implications of such adjustments should be examined for other quality measures and health systems., This cross-sectional study evaluates changes in Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers’ risk-standardized mortality rates among veterans hospitalized for heart failure and pneumonia after adjusting for socioeconomic factors.

Importance Prior studies have reported declines in mortality for patients admitted to Veterans Health Administration (VA) and non-VA hospitals using claims-based risk adjustment. These apparent mortality reductions may be influenced by changes in coding practices. Objective To compare trends in the VA for 30-day mortality following hospitalization for heart failure (HF) and pneumonia using claims-based and clinical risk-adjustment models. Design, Setting, and Participants This observational time-trend study analyzed admissions to a VA Medical Center with a principal diagnosis of HF, pneumonia, or sepsis/respiratory failure (RF) with a secondary diagnosis of pneumonia. Exclusion criteria included having less than 12 months of VA enrollment, being discharged alive within 24 hours, leaving against medical advice, and hospice utilization. Exposures Admission to a VA hospital from January 2009 through September 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was 30-day, all-cause mortality. All models included age and sex. Claims-based covariates included 22 (30) comorbidities for HF (pneumonia). Clinical covariates included vital signs, laboratory values, and ejection fraction. Results Among the 146 924 HF admissions, the mean (SD) age was 71.6 (11.4) years and 144 502 (98.4%) were men; among the 131 325 admissions for pneumonia, the mean (SD) age was 70.8 (12.3) years and 127 491 (97.1%) were men. Unadjusted 30-day mortality rates were 6.45% (HF) and 11.22% (pneumonia). Claims-based models showed an increased predicted risk of 30-day mortality over time (0.019 percentage points per quarter for HF [95% CI, 0.014 to 0.023]; 0.053 percentage points per quarter for pneumonia [95% CI, 0.043 to 0.063]). Clinical models showed declines or no change in predicted risk (−0.014 percentage points per quarter for HF [95% CI, −0.020 to −0.008]; −0.004 percentage points per quarter for pneumonia [95% CI, −0.017 to 0.008]). Claims-based risk adjustment yielded declines in 30-day mortality of 0.051 percentage points per quarter for HF (95% CI, −0.074 to −0.027) and 0.084 percentage points per quarter for pneumonia (95% CI, −0.111 to −0.056). Models adjusting for clinical covariates attenuated or eliminated these changes for HF (−0.017 percentage points per quarter; 95% CI, −0.039 to 0.006) and for pneumonia (−0.026 percentage points per quarter; 95% CI, −0.052 to 0.001). Compared with the claims-based models, the clinical models for HF and pneumonia more accurately differentiated between patients who died after 30 days and those who did not. Conclusions and Relevance Among HF and pneumonia hospitalizations, adjusting for clinical covariates attenuated declines in mortality rates identified using claims-based models. Assessments of temporal trends in 30-day mortality using claims-based risk adjustment should be interpreted with caution.

Objective Currently, 30 US states mandate that radiologists notify women when dense breast tissue is found on mammography. Little is understood about how notifications are perceived by recipients. This qualitative study sought to understand how dense breast notifications (DBNs) impact women’s perceptions and their participation in follow-up care. Methods We assessed rates of DBN recall and conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 30 English-speaking women ages 40 to 74 after receiving a DBN from a Massachusetts hospital. Content coding characterized women’s recall of the notification content, perceptions of breast density, and planned or actual participation in follow-up care. Results Most women (81%) recalled receiving a DBN, but few could recall specific content. Women described struggling to understand the meaning of breast density and created their own explanatory models of dense breasts that differed from medical explanations. Many women planned to or did talk with their doctors about breast density as a result of receiving the notification. Conclusions Women receiving DBNs have limited knowledge and many misperceptions about the implications of having dense breasts. Practice implications Educational support is needed to promote informed decision- making about breast cancer screening that incorporates personal risk in the setting of dense breast legislation.

Background Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common high-risk disease with inpatient mortality of 5% nationally. But little is known about this outcome among Asian Americans (Asians), a fast growing racial/ethnic minority in the country. The objectives of the study are to obtain near-national estimates of differences in AMI inpatient mortality between minorities (including Asians) and non-Hispanic Whites and identify comorbidities and sociodemographic characteristics associated with these differences. Method This is a retrospective analysis of 2010–2011 state inpatient discharge data from 10 states with the largest share of Asian population. We identified hospitalization with a primary diagnosis of AMI using the ICD-9 code and used self-reported race/ethnicity to identify White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian. We performed descriptive analysis of sociodemographic characteristics, medical comorbidities, type of AMI, and receipt of cardiac procedures. Next, we examined overall inpatient AMI mortality rate based on patients’ race/ethnicity. We also examined the types of AMI and a receipt of invasive cardiac procedures by race/ethnicity. Lastly, we used sequential multivariate logistic regression models to study inpatient mortality for each minority group compared to Whites, adjusting for covariates. Results Over 70% of the national Asian population resides in the 10 states. There were 496,472 hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of AMI; 75% of all cases were Whites, 10% were Blacks, 12% were Hispanics, and 3% were Asians. Asians had a higher prevalence of cardiac comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes, and kidney failure compared to Whites (p-value

Background Outcomes research training programs should prepare trainees to successfully compete for research funding. We examined how early-career investigators' prior and desired training aligns with recently funded cardiovascular (CV) outcomes research. Methods We (1) reviewed literature to identify 13 core competency areas in CV outcomes research; (2) surveyed early-career investigators to understand their prior and desired training in each competency area; (3) examined recently funded grants commonly pursued by early-career outcomes researchers to ascertain available funding in competency areas; and (4) analyzed alignment between investigator training and funded research in each competency area. We evaluated 185 survey responses from early-career investigators (response rate 28%) and 521 funded grants from 2010 to 2014. Results Respondents' prior training aligned with funded grants in the areas of clinical epidemiology, observational research, randomized controlled trials, and implementation/dissemination research. Funding in community-engaged research and health informatics was more common than prior training in these areas. Respondents' prior training in biostatistics and systematic review was more common than funded grants focusing on these specific areas. Respondents' desired training aligned similarly with funded grants, with some exceptions; for example, desired training in health economics/cost-effectiveness research was more common than funded grants in these areas. Restricting to CV grants (n = 132) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–funded grants (n = 170) produced similar results. Conclusions Identifying mismatch between funded grants in outcomes research and early-career investigators' prior/desired training may help efforts to harmonize investigator interests, training, and funding. Our findings suggest a need for further consideration of how to best prepare early-career investigators for funding success.

Background Many young investigators are interested in cardiovascular (CV) outcomes research; however, the current training experience of early investigators across the United States is uncertain. Methods From April to November 2014, we surveyed mentees and mentors of early-stage CV outcomes investigators across the United States. We contacted successful grantees of government agencies, members of professional organizations, and trainees in CV outcomes training programs. Results A total of 185 (of 662) mentees and 76 (of 541) mentors completed the survey. Mentees were equally split by sex; most had completed training >3 years before completing the survey and were clinicians. Mentors were more likely women, mostly ≥20 years posttraining, and at an associate/full professor rank. Mentors reported devoting more time currently to clinical work than when they were early in their career and mentoring 2-4 people simultaneously. More than 80% of mentees started training to become academicians and completed training with the same goal. More than 70% of mentees desired at least 50% research time in future jobs. More than 80% of mentors believed that future investigators would need more than 50% time dedicated to research. Most mentees (80%) were satisfied with their relationship with their mentor and reported having had opportunities to develop independently. Mentors more frequently than mentees reported that funding cutbacks had negatively affected mentees' ability to succeed (84% vs 58%). Across funding mechanisms, mentees were more optimistic than mentors about securing funding. Both mentees and mentors reported greatest preparedness for job/career satisfaction (79% for both) and publications (84% vs 92%) and least preparedness for future financial stability (48% vs 46%) and work-life balance (47% vs 42%). Conclusions Survey findings may stimulate future discourse and research on how best to attract, train, and retain young investigators in CV outcomes research. Insights may help improve existing training programs and inform the design of new ones.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the best process for selecting content for decision aids (DAs) on mammography screening. This analysis triangulates perspectives (experts, primary care providers, and patients) to understand areas of divergent and convergent input across stakeholder groups in developing a breast cancer screening DA for women ages 40–54 with limited health literacy. STUDY DESIGN: A 3‐round modified Delphi panel was conducted among national breast cancer screening and decision science experts. They rated the importance of 57 statements for possible inclusion in a breast cancer screening DA. Qualitative comments about each statement were collected via open‐ended text fields. Analysis was conducted following the RAND Appropriateness methodology. Separately, 25 women with limited health literacy (patients) and 20 primary care providers (PCPs) from outpatient clinics at a Boston‐based safety net hospital completed interviews exploring mammography‐related informational needs. To identify areas where stakeholder perspectives converged or diverged from each other, we conducted a qualitative synthesis using a constant comparison technique. Codes were developed and compared: (1) at the level of the individual interview; (2) within stakeholder groups; and, (3) across stakeholder groups. POPULATION STUDIED: Eight experts participated in the Delphi panel. Participants had an advanced degree (MD, PhD), > 3 years of either professional, clinical or research experience, and content expertise in breast cancer screening, health literacy, or DA design. Patients included mammography‐eligible, primary care patients ages 40–54 with upcoming visits, and limited health literacy as defined by a score of

Aims To determine whether baseline metabolic syndrome (MetS) modifies the effect of intensive blood pressure control on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes, and whether effects varied by race/ethnicity. Materials and Methods We performed post-hoc analyses among Non-Hispanic Black (NHB), Non-Hispanic White (NHW), and Hispanic participants with and without MetS in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) randomized to a systolic blood pressure (SBP) target of less than 120 mm Hg (intensive group, N = 4544) or one less than 140 mm Hg (standard group, N = 4553). Median follow-up was 3.26 years. The primary outcome was the composite of the first occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, heart failure, non-MI acute coronary syndrome, or (CV) death. Results Overall, 3521/9097 (38.7%) of subjects met criteria for MetS at baseline. Baseline characteristics were similar between SBP groups within each MetS subgroup except BMI was slightly higher in the Standard arm of the MetS subgroup (33.3+/−5.6 vs. 33.0+/−5.3, p

Objective To examine whether Massachusetts (MA) health reform affected substance (alcohol or drug) use disorder (SUD)–related hospitalizations in acute care hospitals. Data/Study Setting 2004–2010 MA inpatient discharge data. Design Difference-in-differences analysis to identify pre- to postreform changes in age- and sex-standardized population-based rates of SUD-related medical and surgical hospitalizations, adjusting for secular trends. Data Extraction Methods We identified 373,751 discharges where a SUD-related diagnosis was a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis. Findings Adjusted for age and sex, the rates of drug use–related and alcohol use–related hospitalizations prereform were 7.21 and 8.87 (per 1,000 population), respectively, in high-uninsurance counties, and 8.58 and 9.63, respectively, in low-uninsurance counties. Both SUD-related rates increased after health reform in high- and low-uninsurance counties. Adjusting for secular trends in the high- and low-uninsurance counties, health reform was associated with no change in drug- or alcohol-related hospitalizations. Conclusions Massachusetts health reform was not associated with any changes in substance use disorder–related hospitalizations. Further research is needed to determine how to reduce substance use disorder–related hospitalizations, beyond expanding insurance coverage.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain near‐national rates of potentially preventable hospitalization (PPH)—a marker of barriers to outpatient care access—for Hispanics; to examine their differences from other race‐ethnic groups and by Hispanic national origin; and to identify key mediating factors. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Data from all‐payer inpatient discharge databases for 15 states accounting for 85 percent of Hispanics nationally. STUDY DESIGN: Combining counts of inpatient discharges with census population for adults aged 18 and older, we estimated age‐sex‐adjusted PPH rates. We examined county‐level variation in race‐ethnic disparities in these rates to identify the mediating role of area‐level indicators of chronic condition prevalence, socioeconomic status (SES), health care access, acculturation, and provider availability. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Age‐sex‐adjusted PPH rates were 13 percent higher among Hispanics (1,375 per 100,000 adults) and 111 percent higher among blacks (2,578) compared to whites (1,221). Among Hispanics, these rates were relatively higher in areas with predominantly Puerto Rican and Cuban Americans than in areas with Hispanics of other nationalities. Small area variation in chronic condition prevalence and SES fully accounted for the higher rates among Hispanics, but only partially among blacks. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanics and blacks face higher barriers to outpatient care access; the higher barriers among Hispanics (but not blacks) seem mediated by SES, lack of insurance, cost barriers, and limited provider availability.

Little is known about whether social factors are related to readmissions among non-elderly adults admitted to safety-net hospitals (SNHs), particularly after health reform that lowered barriers to obtaining post-discharge medical care through insurance expansion. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 713 non-elderly adults at two of Massachusetts' largest SNHs eight years after Massachusetts' health reforms. Social factors were assessed through in-person interviews and electronic health record data. After adjustment for clinical variables, public insurance, White race/ethnicity, being unemployed, being unstably housed, having an alcohol-related index admission, and having a substance use-related index admission remained associated with readmissions at 90 days. At 30 days, public insurance, worry about safety or condition of housing, and having an alcohol-related index admission remained associated with readmissions. Unadjusted models were consistent with these findings. Accounting for social factors in readmission adjustment schemes used by payers may be important for ensuring payment equity.

Objectives: Despite numerous interven­tions to address adherence to antihyperten­sive medications, continued high rates of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) suggest a need to better understand patient factors beyond adherence associated with BP con­trol. We examined how patients’ BP-related beliefs, and aspects of life context affect BP control, beyond medication adherence. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey of primary care patients with hypertension between 2010 and 2011 (N=103; 93 had complete data on all variables and were included in the regression analyses). We assessed patient so­ciodemographics (including race/ethnicity), medication adherence, BP-related beliefs, aspects of life context, and used clinical BP assessments. Results: Regression models including sociodemographics, medication adherence, and either beliefs or context consistently predicted BP control. Adding context after beliefs added no predictive value while adding beliefs after context significantly predicted BP control. Conclusion: Including patients’ BP beliefs after context had the strongest effects on BP control. Practice Implications: Results suggest that when clinicians must choose a dimen­sion on which to intervene, focusing on beliefs would be the most fruitful approach to effecting change in BP control. Ethn Dis. 2019;29(4):567-576; doi:10.18865/ ed.29.4.567

Social determinants affect health, yet there are few systematic clinical strategies in primary care that leverage electronic health record (EHR) automation to facilitate screening for social needs and resource referrals. An EHR-based social determinants of health (SDOH) screening and referral model, adapted from the WE CARE model for pediatrics, was implemented in urban adult primary care.This study aimed to: (1) understand the burden of SDOH among patients at Boston Medical Center; and (2) evaluate the feasibility of implementing a systematic clinical strategy to screen new primary care patients for SDOH, use EHR technology to add these needs to the patient's chart through autogenerated ICD-10 codes, and print patient language-congruent referrals to available resources upon patient request.This observational study assessed the number of patients who were screened to be positive and requested resources for social needs. In addition, we evaluated the feasibility of implementing our SDOH strategy by determining the proportion of: eligible patients screened, providers signing orders for positive patient screenings, and provider orders for resource referral guides among patients requesting resource connections.In total, 1696 of 2420 (70%) eligible patients were screened. Employment (12%), food insecurity (11%), and problems affording medications (11%) were the most prevalent concerns among respondents. In total, 367 of 445 (82%) patients with ≥1 identified needs (excluding education) had the appropriate ICD-10 codes added to their visit diagnoses. In total, 325 of 376 (86%) patients who requested resources received a relevant resource referral guide.Implementing a systematic clinical strategy in primary care using EHR workflows was successful in identifying and providing resource information to patients with SDOH needs.

BACKGROUND: One of the potential benefits of insurance reform is greater stability of insurance and reduced coverage disparities by race and ethnicity. OBJECTIVES: We examined the temporal trends in insurance coverage by racial/ethnic group before and after Massachusetts Insurance Reform by abstracting records across two urban safety net hospital systems. RESEARCH DESIGN: We examined adjusted odds of being uninsured and incident rate ratios of gaining and losing insurance over time by race and ethnicity. We used billing records to capture the payer for each episode of care. SUBJECTS: We included data from January 2005 through December 2013 on patients with hypertension between the ages of 21 and 64 years. We compared four racial and ethnic groups: non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian and Hispanic. MEASURES: We examined individual patients’ insurance coverage status in 6 month intervals. We compared odds of being uninsured in the transition and post insurance reform period to the pre reform period, adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities practice location and education and income by Census tract. RESULTS: Among 48,291 patients with hypertension, reduction in rates of uninsurance with insurance reform was greater for Hispanic (29.7%), non-Hispanic Black (24.8%) and non-Hispanic Asian (26.8%) than non-Hispanic White (14.9%) patients. The odds of becoming uninsured were reduced in all racial and ethnic groups (OR 0.27–0.41). CONCLUSIONS: Massachusetts Insurance Reform resulted in stable insurance coverage and a reduction in disparities in insurance instability by race and ethnicity.

Racial disparities in dental care have previously been shown in the Veterans Health Administration (VA)-a controlled access setting valuing equitable, high-quality care.The aim of this study is to examine current disparities in dental care by focusing on the receipt of root canal therapy (RCT) versus tooth extraction.This is a retrospective analysis of data contained in the VA's electronic health records. We performed logistic regressions on the independent measures along with a facility-specific random effect, using dependent binary variables that distinguished RCT from tooth extraction procedures.VA outpatients who had at least 1 tooth extraction or RCT visit in the VA in fiscal year 2011.A dependent binary measure of tooth extraction or RCT. Other measures are medical record data on medical comorbidities, dental morbidity, prior dental utilization, and demographic characteristics.The overall rate of preferred tooth-preserving RCT was 18.1% during the study period. Black and Asian patients were most dissimilar with respect to dental morbidity, medical and psychological disorders, and black patients had the least amount of eligibility for comprehensive dental care. After adjustment for known confounding factors of RCT, black patients had the lowest RCT rates, whereas Asians had the highest.Current quality improvement efforts and a value to improve the equity of care are not sufficient to address racial/ethnic disparities in VA dental care; rather more targeted efforts will be needed to achieve equity for all.

The disparate effects of social determinants of health on cardiovascular health status and health care have been extensively documented by epidemiology. Yet, very little attention has been paid to how understanding and addressing social determinants of health might improve the quality of clinical interactions, especially by improving patients’ adherence to recommended therapies. We present a case and suggested approach to illustrate how cardiovascular clinicians can use patient-centered approaches to identify and address social determinants of health barriers to adherence and reduce the impact of unconscious clinician biases. We propose that cardiovascular clinicians (1) recognize that patients may have different belief systems about illnesses’ cause and treatment, which may influence their actions, and not assume they share one’s experiences or explanatory model; (2) Endeavor to understand the individual patient before you; (3) based on that understanding, tailor your approach to that individual. We suggest a previously-developed mnemonic for an approach to RESPECT the patient: First, show Respect; then elicit patients’ understandings of their illness by asking about their Explanatory model. Ask about the patient’s Social context, share Power in the interaction, show Empathy, ask about Concerns or fears, and work to develop Trust by building the relationship over time. We provide additional clinical resources to support these efforts, including lay descriptions of cardiovascular conditions, challenges to adherence, and suggested strategies to address them.

Objective Despite widespread documentation of racial/ethnic disparities in medical care, population-wide variation in Americans’ experiences with care are not well understood. We examined whether race/ethnicity is associated with information received from physicians regarding treatment recommendations. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from a nationally representative sample (N = 1238). We assessed patients’ personal experiences of receiving information about the rationale for treatment recommendations from their physicians. Results Overall, respondents of minority race/ethnicity received less information from their doctors about the rationale for treatment recommendations. After adjustment for possible confounders, doctors talked less often with patients of ‘other’ race/ethnicity about reasons for treatment recommendations. Both Blacks’ and Hispanics’ doctors less often cited their own experiences, or scientific research as a reason for treatment recommendations. Conclusion Americans’ experiences with information communicated by physicians regarding treatment rationale varies significantly on some dimensions by race/ethnicity, suggesting that differences in key elements of shared decision making are evident in the care of racial/ethnic minorities. Practice implications Physicians should evaluate the extent to which their communication with patients varies by patient race/ethnicity, and make efforts to ensure that they share equally with all patients regarding the rationale for treatment recommendations.

Breast cancer screening decision aids that help women understand their risk for cancer and available screening options can improve the quality of decision-making for women in their 40s, but existing decision aids do not address the needs of women with limited health literacy. We conducted a Delphi panel among breast cancer screening and decision science experts to determine content for a breast cancer screening decision aid for women ages 40-54 who have limited health literacy. Experts were those with an advanced degree (MD, PhD), at least 3 years of experience, and content expertise in breast cancer screening, health literacy, or decision aid design. Experts were invited via email to participate in an online Delphi panel, which aimed to establish consensus on decision aid content, guided by the International Patient Decision Aid Standards. Experts rated the importance of each item on a scale from 1 (not important) to 9 (very important), as well as how strong they felt the evidence was to support each. Open-ended responses explaining ratings were gathered, and in Round 1 experts were asked to nominate new items for inclusion. Following RAND methods, the 30th - 70th percentile range, central point, and asymmetry index were calculated for each item. From these values, a disagreement index was determined, and if the value was >1, indicating disagreement, the item was moved to the next round. Otherwise, consensus was established, and the item was omitted from future rounds. Between rounds, experts received a summary of their rating for each item relative to others, along with a summary of the open-ended explanations. The process was repeated for Rounds 2 and 3. 15 experts were invited, 9 agreed and 8 completed Round 1. All eight participants were female, with an average age of 53. Seven were white and 2 Asian. Five held medical doctorate degrees, 3 had PhDs. Seven experts completed all 3 rounds. Round 1 included 55 items, 30 of which obtained consensus (disagreement index < 1). 29 items were reviewed in Round 2 (25 from Round 1, plus 4 newly nominated items), 15 of which obtained consensus, leaving a final round of 14 items. In Round 3, 1 item achieved consensus, 4 items converged around uncertainty, and 9 did not reach consensus. Experts disagreed or were uncertain on the importance of including breast cancer risk factors and whether a description of the multiple screening modalities available should be included. Explanations for these items described balancing an ethical imperative to provide information and avoid paternalism while limiting information extraneous to the decision. While guidelines suggest that the age of initiating mammography and modalities used should involve an assessment of risk of developing breast cancer, experts did not agree about the inclusion of risk factor or modality information in a breast cancer screening decision aid for women with limited health literacy. Balancing detail with simplicity remains a challenge in determining content for decision support tools that seek to include a range of literacy levels. Citation Format: Christine M. Gunn, Tracy A. Battaglia, Michael K. Paasche-Orlow, Mara Schonberg, Ariel Maschke, Nancy R. Kressin. Using a Delphi panel to establish content for a breast cancer screening decision aid inclusive of women with limited health literacy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-017.

Little is known about whether women residing in states with mandated dense breast notification (DBN) have improved awareness, knowledge, or discussion with their doctors, or whether there are disparities by sociodemographic characteristics. We conducted a cross-sectional, national telephone survey to assess the primary outcomes intended by DBN legislation: informing women about personal breast density, increasing awareness of its making effect and association with increased cancer risk, and prompting discussions with providers. Specific efforts were made to include women from all race/ethnic groups, education strata, and literacy levels. Women aged >40 reporting a mammogram in Overall, 39% had a discussion with their provider about breast density, with women in DBN states being 1.82 times more likely to have done so (95% CI= 1.40, 2.37). There were no differences between women in DBN vs. non-DBN states related to knowledge of masking bias (OR=.99, 0.71, 1.39) or understanding that breast density is a cancer risk factor (OR=0.93, 0.71, 1.22). Hispanic and lower income women had less knowledge about these topics. Interaction models failed to reveal moderating effects of state DBN status, indicating that DBN legislation does not appear to be mitigating or worsening the observed sociodemographic differences. Findings suggest that mandated DBNs have had partial success informing women about their breast density. However, we saw few indications that DBNs increased knowledge and observed less knowledge among women with low income, racial/ethnic minority status and lower literacy. This ‘one size fits all’ policy approach to relaying breast density information appears to be inadequate in reducing disparities in breast density awareness and knowledge. Citation Format: Nancy R. Kressin, Jolie Wormwood, Tracy A. Battaglia, Priscilla J. Slanetz, Christine M. Gunn. Mixed success and persistent disparities in outcomes related to breast density legislation: A national survey [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-079.

BACKGROUND: Legislation requiring mammography facilities to notify women if they have dense breast tissue found on mammography has been enacted in 34 US states. The impact of dense breast notifications (DBNs) on women with limited English proficiency (LEP) is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to understand Spanish-speaking women’s experience receiving DBNs in a Massachusetts safety-net hospital. DESIGN: Eligible women completed one audio-recorded, semi-structured interview via telephone with a native Spanish-speaking research assistant trained in qualitative methods. Interviews were professionally transcribed verbatim and translated. The translation was verified by a third reviewer to ensure fidelity with audio recordings. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen Spanish-speaking women ages 40–74 who received mammography with a normal result and recalled receiving a DBN. APPROACH: Using the verified English transcripts, we conducted a content analysis to identify women’s perceptions and actions related to receiving the notification. A structured codebook was developed. Transcripts were independently coded and assessed for agreement with a modification of Cohen’s kappa. Content codes were grouped to build themes related to women’s perceptions and actions after receiving a DBN. KEY RESULTS: Nineteen Spanish-speaking women completed interviews. Nine reported not receiving the notification in their native language. Four key themes emerged: (1) The novelty of breast density contributed to notification-induced confusion; (2) women misinterpreted key messages in the notification; (3) varied actions were taken to seek further information; and (4) women held unrealized expectations and preferences for follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Not having previous knowledge of breast density and receiving notifications in English contributed to confusion about its meaning and inaccurate interpretations of key messages by Spanish speakers. Tools that promote understanding should be leveraged in seeking equity in risk-based breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts.

Objective Veterans' utilization of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care is likely influenced by community factors external to the VA, including Medicaid eligibility and unemployment, although such factors are rarely considered in models predicting such utilization. We measured the sensitivity of VA utilization to changes in such community factors (hereafter, "external determinants"), including the 2014 Medicaid expansion following the Affordable Care Act. Data sources/study setting We merged VA health care enrollment and utilization data with area-level data on Medicaid policy, unemployment, employer-sponsored insurance, housing prices, and non-VA physician availability (2008-2014). Study design For veterans aged 18-64 and ≥65, we estimated the sensitivity of annual individual VA health care utilization, measured by the cost ($) of care received, to changes in external determinants using longitudinal regression models controlling for individual fixed effects. Principal findings All external determinants were associated with small but significant changes in VA health care utilization. In states that expanded Medicaid in 2014, this expansion was associated with 9.1 percent ($826 million) reduction in VA utilization among those aged 18-64; sizable changes occurred in all services used (inpatient, outpatient, and prescription drugs). Conclusions Changes in alternative insurance coverage and other external determinants may affect VA health care spending. Policy makers should consider these factors in allocating VA resources to meet local demand.

Background Multiple studies have reported that risk-adjusted rates of 30-day mortality after hospitalization for an acute condition are lower among blacks compared with whites. Objective To examine if previously reported lower mortality for minorities, relative to whites, is accounted for by adjustment for do-not-resuscitate status, potentially unconfirmed admission diagnosis, and differential risk of hospitalization. Research design Using inpatient discharge and vital status data for patients aged 18 and older in California, we examined all admissions from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, pneumonia, acute stroke, gastrointestinal bleed, and hip fracture and estimated relative risk of mortality for Hispanics, non-Hispanic blacks, non-Hispanic Asians, and non-Hispanic whites. Multiple mortality measures were examined: inpatient, 30-, 90-, and 180 day. Adding census data we estimated population risks of hospitalization and hospitalization with inpatient death. Results Across all mortality outcomes, blacks had lower mortality rate, relative to whites even after exclusion of patients with do-not-resuscitate status and potentially unconfirmed diagnosis. Compared with whites, the population risk of hospitalization was 80% higher and risk of hospitalization with inpatient mortality was 30% higher among blacks. Among Hispanics and Asians, disparities varied with mortality measure. Conclusions Lower risk of posthospitalization mortality among blacks, relative to whites, may be associated with higher rate of hospitalizations and differences in unobserved patient acuity. Disparities for Hispanics and Asians, relative to whites, vary with the mortality measure used.