Mammography Health Equity Improvement Collaborative
This Collaborative of the ACR® Learning Network seeks to reduce breast cancer disparities through screening.
Join the Next Cohort
In the United States, breast cancer is the second most common cancer and mortality rates are significantly higher for certain racial and ethnic groups (USPSTF Breast Cancer Screening 2024 Recommendation). Facility teams determine which Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) priority patient population(s) they will focus on in their local environment, to increase mammography screenings within that population. Participating facilities are supported in identifying their eligible population and evaluating opportunities within scheduling processes, provider relationships, community engagement, patient communication, and diagnosis pathways.
Problem Statement
There are health disparities in the utilization of our mammographic screening programs by AHRQ priority patient populations, possibly leading to missed opportunities for early cancer detection and management.
How the Collaborative Works
Each facility forms an interdisciplinary project team consisting of four to six members who participate in the ACR® ImPower Program, alongside a cohort of colleagues from other institutions. Together, these teams will receive quality improvement (QI) education and utilize QI tools to identify and test ways to increase the percentage of eligible patients who receive a screening mammogram within a specific AHRQ priority population.