Lay Health Workers Help Increase Cancer Screenings Among Low-income Hispanic Women

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 22 Mar 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The intervention of lay health workers can be beneficial in increasing breast and cervical cancer screening among low-income Hispanic women, reports a new study.

Participants in this study were women 50 and older who were non-adherent to mammography or Pap test screening guidelines. Researchers developed an educational intervention ("Cultivando La Salud"/Cultivating Health), which was administered by lay health workers. After follow-ups, researchers found that screening completion was higher among women in the intervention group than in the control group for both mammography and Pap test screening.

The study's authors concluded, "Our study provided further evidence that the lay health worker model can increase breast and cervical cancer screening among low-income Hispanic women."

"Effectiveness of Cultivando La Salud: A Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Promotion Program for Low-Income Hispanic Women"

The American Journal of Public Health is the monthly Journal of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. APHA is a leading publisher of books and periodicals promoting sound scientific standards, action programs and public policy to enhance health.

American Journal of Public Health