An Intervention to Improve Cervical Cancer Detection among High Risk Latinas

Project Summary/Abstract Latinas have 70% higher incidence and double the mortality rate of cervical cancer than non-Latinas in the U.S., primarily due to low rates of screening and COLPOscopy, the recommended follow-up for abnormal Papanicolou (Pap) tests. Factors related to low rates include access to health care, anxiety, fear of pain and cancer, low educational and low health literacy levels. While the Affordable Care Act will increase access, it may decrease health care provider (HCP) time to provide complex education needed to address other factors. Patient education challenges for Latinas with low health literacy can be further complicated by language differences and by low basic literacy - an inadequate ability to read. Low literacy is not limited toLatinos but affects many who have had little opportunity for formal schooling. Due to high rates of low basic literacy, low health literacy, and increasing pressures on HCPs, we propose a paradigmatic shift in health education. The purpose of this Phase