Among women aged 40 years or older, 71% of those who are insured report having had a mammogram in the previous year, compared with only 46% of uninsured women. Uninsured U.S. adults are also less likely to be screened for high blood pressure and high cholesterol and to be advised to lose weight and quit smoking.
Cardiovascular Disease: The Leading Cause of Death Among Women
Although heart disease and stroke are commonly believed to affect men primarily, more than half of all people who die of heart disease and stroke are women. Among women, heart disease is the leading cause of death and is often not diagnosed until it has progressed to an advanced stage. Addressing risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking greatly reduces women's risk for illness and death from heart disease. However, screening, intervention, and treatment services for these risk factors are often beyond the reach of uninsured women.
