Abstract 4795: Social capital and screening mammography rates in the United States

Abstract

Abstract Background: Social capital may play a role in screening mammogram utilization by influencing individuals' access to information and providing social support for healthy behaviors. However, few studies have examined associations between community-level social capital and screening mammography use. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between county-level social capital and screening mammography rates in the United States (U.S.). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of social capital and screening mammography rates across 2,613 U.S. counties for 2014. We obtained county-level data on (1) screening mammography rates for female Medicare enrollees aged 67-69 years and (2) social capital (Penn State Social Capital Index). Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate associations between social capital quartiles and mammography screening rates. Models were adjusted for county-level socioeconomic, demographic, and access to care factors. Results: Average county-level screening mammography rates were 60.5% ± 8.3% (range 26%-88%). Across all U.S. counties, social capital was associated with county-level mammography rates, after adjusting for covariates (p <0.001). This association did not vary by urban-rural classification. In analyses by region, associations between social capital and screening mammography rates were strongest in the West region (p<0.001). Conclusions: In this nationwide study, social capital was significantly associated with screening mammography. Our findings suggest that there are regional variations in the association between social capital and mammography rates. The relationship between social capital and cancer screening behaviors warrants further investigation, particularly in the U.S. West. Citation Format: Tracy Huang, Christine Ekenga. Social capital and screening mammography rates in the United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4795.