A new survey commissioned by Women’s Health Connecticut reveals that a significant number of females in the state, particularly minorities and young adults, aren't visiting their gynecologist or a primary care doctor for annual preventative care, according to the Register Citizen.
Out of the 1,000 women between the ages of 18 and 54 surveyed, 28 percent have not had an ob-gyn exam in the past year. Among young women between the ages of 18 and 29 and minorities, 36 and 38 percent have not have had an exam in the past year, respectively. In fact, one in 10 minority women reported that they haven't seen a ob/gyn or primary care doctor in the past year, which is double the rate reported by white women. Minorities and young adults are also less likely to get their pap smears done on time.
Dr. Mark DeFrancesco, chief medical officer for Women’s Health Connecticut and a Waterbury-based gynecologist told the Register Citizen that while the causes of these disparities weren't identified, perhaps there are "subtle things" occurring that doctors may need to be further educated about.
One the other hand, because it "provides healthcare coverage for over 90 percent of its female population and touts an educated population with more than one-third of women holding a four-year college degree."
