Healthcare use and mammography among latinas with and without health insurance near the US-Mexico Border

Introduction Among Latinas, lacking health insurance and having lower levels of acculturation are associated with disparities in mammography screening. Objective We seek to investigate whether differences in lifetime mammography exist between Latina border residents by health insurance status and health care site (i.e., U.S. only or a combination of U.S. and Mexican health care). Methods Using data from the 2009 to 2010 Ecological Household Study on Latino Border Residents, mammography screening was examined among (n = 304) Latinas >40 years old. Results While more acculturated women were significantly (p <.05) more likely to report ever having a mammogram than less acculturated women, ever having a mammogram was not predicted by health care site or insurance status. Conclusion Latinas who utilize multiple systems of care have lower levels of acculturation and health insurance, thus representing an especially vulnerable population for experiencing disparities in mammography screening.