BACKGROUND: Kansas NBCCEDP is a federally funded breast and cervical cancer screening program that provides free screening and diagnostic services to Kansas women ages 40-64, under 250% of poverty and uninsured. The program enrolls approximately 7,000 eligible women each year. Maps are used within the program to improve program reach, target outreach efforts, assess barriers and recruit new partners.
METHODS: Kansas NBCCEDP enrollment and service use data are maintained in a cloud-based data system developed by Spectrum Health Policy Research. ArcGIS ArcMap 10.2 is used to create maps, perform spatial analysis and share results. Since 2014, several map projects have informed KS NBCCEDP program planning and evaluation including:
- The Kansas NBCCEDP website features a statewide map of program providers. Eligible Kansas women can use the online map to locate the nearest program services. The same map with a 20 mile buffer around primary providers is used internally to assess program coverage.
- The map using hot spot analysis of low and high concentrations of women ages 50-64 helps in finding women in the targeted age group. This map in conjunction with a map reflecting program reach and a map reflecting all eligible women are used to target outreach efforts.
- A statewide map of program mammograms with counts by county shows how many women used program services within a given timeframe. This data was presented along with information from the Small Area Health Insurance Estimates of the number of eligible women in each county. The map is used internally to assess outreach efforts and community reach and shared with potential providers to show the number of unserved women (potential patients) in their areas.
- County level maps illustrate the location of mammography facilities relative to census information on race/ethnicity and insurance status. Internally, the maps are used to illustrate access barriers for Kansas NBCCEDP participants.
RESULTS: Maps have increased program planning capacity and improved communication within the program and with partners. For example, Butler County was identified by several maps as having potential for increased program reach and provider engagement. Butler County has higher concentrations of target age residents. The program eligible women are underserved compared to the state average. Regional staff are currently promoting the program among primary providers in the area and planning community outreach activities.
CONCLUSIONS: Maps are a valuable tools for the presentation of service use data and assessment of program needs.