A new UCLA-led study, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found that women with diabetes are less likely to receive crucial preventive care and certain cancer screenings compared to women without diabetes.
Summary:
- Preventive Care Gaps: The study, which analyzed over 40 previous studies, highlighted that physicians often overlook services like conception counseling and some cancer screenings for women (ages 15-49) with diabetes.
- Specific Findings: For women with diabetes, contraceptive services were received by 48% (vs. 62% for those without), cervical cancer screening rates ranged from 38-79% (vs. 46-86%), breast cancer screenings were 38-69% (vs. 54-82%), and pre-conception counseling was only given to just over 1% of those planning pregnancy (vs. 46% for women without diabetes).
- Need for Coordinated Care: The researchers emphasized that robust, coordinated care teams involving endocrinology, primary care, and other specialists could significantly improve access to these services.
- Limitations & Future Research: The review was limited by a small number of studies, some relying on patient recall, and many with small sample sizes. Future research should focus on how health systems can leverage electronic health records and improve care coordination to address these gaps.