Beyond Disease-Oriented Care for the Uninsured: Increasing Access to Prevention

A Thesis submitted to The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Medicine.Background/Significance: Cancer is the leading cause of death in Arizona, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. Disparities in cancer morbidity and mortality are frequently seen in people from certain racial/ethnic populations and people of low socioeconomic groups. Screening guidelines have been established by the United States Preventative Task Force (USPSTF) that allow for cost-effective prevention and early detection of cervical, breast and colorectal cancers. Adherence to these guidelines is an area of major disparity for marginalized healthcare populations in Arizona. The St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Medical Clinic provides medical care for uninsured families of the greater Phoenix area. A needs assessment was performed in the summer of 2015 to establish rates of cancer screening for its patients in accordance with USPSTF guidelines. This initial needs assessment demonstrated that the rate of cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screenings were significantly lower than the national averages for both insured and uninsured patients.This item is part of the College of Medicine - Phoenix Scholarly Projects 2018 collection. For more information, contact the Phoenix Biomedical Campus Library at pbc-library@email.arizona.edu