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Table 2 Variables chosen for analysis, their contextual relevance, and sources

From: Heterogeneity in mammography use across the nation: separating evidence of disparities from the disproportionate effects of geography

Characteristic of Sample Women

Data Source

Enabling/Disabling

Developed from linked SEER cancer registry and 5% Medicare data, provided by the National Cancer Institute [46].

   Individual disability as original reason for Medicare entitlement

 

   Moved to a new residence in 2002–2003

 

   Months with extra assistance from state Medicaid, 2002–2003

 

   Distance to closest mammography facility

 

Predisposing

 

   Age in 2002

Developed from linked SEER cancer registry and 5% Medicare data, provided by the National Cancer Institute [46]

   Months enrolled in a Medicare HMO anytime in 2000–2001: prior period

 

   Race or ethnicity (white, African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, other)

 

Need

 

   Had previous cancer diagnosis, breast or other cancers

 

   Obtained flu shot from doctor in 2002–2003

 

Interpersonal Factors (PCSA)

Data Source

Social Integration and Support: Isolation index describing segregation by race or ethnicity (white, African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, other)

Developed from U.S. Census 2000 micro data at tract and ZCTA levels.

Stressor, Driver Courtesy: Commuter intensity reflecting the proportion of the workforce in each woman's residential area commuting 60 minutes or more each way to work

 

Social or Cultural Cohesion: Proportion of the population in each woman's residential area immigrating into the United States between 1995–2000

Developed from U.S. Census 2000 micro data at tract and ZCTA levels.

Social or Cultural Cohesion: Proportion of the elderly in each woman's residential area with little or no English language ability

 

Stressor, Living Conditions: Proportion of female elderly in each woman's residential area living alone

 

Stressor, Living Conditions: Proportion of elderly in each woman's residential area living below the federal poverty level

 

Health Care System: Number of mammography facilities per thousand elderly women in each woman's residential area, 2002–2003

Derived from SEER-Medicare linked database claims files [46] and U.S. Census.

Health Care System: Number of oncologists (or nurses) per thousand elderly, 2001 (2000)

Area Resource File

Health Care System: Ratio of counts of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to U.S.-born physicians (generalists and specialists), 2000–2001

HRSA geospatial data warehouse

Health Care System: County designated as a primary care provider shortage area in whole or part of county, 2002

Data available from HRSA

Health Care System: Medicare managed care penetration, defined as proportion of the eligible population enrolled in Medicare HMOs, 2003

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Geographic Service Area Files

Social Context: Number of violent crimes known to police per thousand population

U.S. Department of Justice and FBI, National Archive of Criminal Justice Data

Physical Environment: Entropy index of land use mix:

LANDMIX = - Σi = 1n Pi (ln Pi/ln n)

Where n (5) is the number of different land use type classes in the county and Pi is the proportion of land in type i in the county

Calculated by RTI using the 2001 National Land Cover Data (NLCD)

  1. Notes: HMO = health maintenance organization; SEER = Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results; ZCTA = ZIP Code Tabulation Area; HRSA = Health Resources and Services Administration; ARF = Area Resource File; PCSA = Primary Care Service Area