Breast Imaging and Health Equity: Bridging Gaps and Improving Outcomes (2025)-WEB0924-2025

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar on "Breast Imaging and Health Equity" addresses disparities in breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment across diverse populations globally and in the U.S. The presenters—Drs. Patel, Miles, and Omofoy—highlight the impact of social determinants of health such as socioeconomic status, cost concerns, and access barriers on patients' utilization of breast imaging services. Dr. Miles shared insights from urban safety-net hospitals where delayed diagnosis and treatment disproportionately affect minority and low-income women, underscoring the importance of culturally competent care, efficient scheduling, patient navigation, and access to advanced imaging like digital breast tomosynthesis. Successful local interventions included same-day biopsy programs, ride-share access, and expanded weekend hours to reduce disparities in care. Dr. Patel emphasized the role of policy advocacy in expanding insurance coverage for advanced imaging and diagnostic services, community partnerships, and educational outreach to improve breast health equity in Missouri and Kansas. Legislative efforts such as the PALS and Find It Early Acts aim to remove financial barriers nationwide. Dr. Omofoy addressed global disparities, noting that low- and middle-income countries bear the highest breast cancer mortality despite lower incidence, due to late-stage diagnosis and limited resources. Strategies discussed include workforce training, sustainable equipment provision, resource-stratified guidelines focusing on early diagnosis, mobile mammography, AI-assisted low-cost ultrasound, and multidisciplinary care models. The webinar underscores that multi-level, tailored approaches, combining clinical, community, policy, and global efforts, are essential to bridging breast cancer screening and care gaps and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Keywords

Breast Imaging

Health Equity

Breast Cancer Disparities

Social Determinants of Health

Culturally Competent Care

Advanced Imaging Technologies

Policy Advocacy

Global Breast Cancer Mortality

Resource-Stratified Guidelines