The health disparities of uterine fibroid tumors for African American women: a public health issue

Abstract

Uterine fibroid tumors (leiomyomas) are the most common benign pelvic tumors in women and are the major indication for hysterectomy. Fibroid tumors are more common and more severe among African American women. Although this disease disproportionately affects the African American population, we understand little about what causes the disparity. Fibroid tumors should be considered a public health issue, given the magnitude of the problem and the costs of health care for this disease. In this review, we examine the burden of disease from fibroid tumors in the African American population and review the natural history, diagnosis, and treatment of uterine fibroid tumors, with emphasis on how these can differ, depending on race. We also focus on the socioeconomic burden caused by the disease and describe the anticipated influence of new health care reforms and funding mechanisms for fibroid tumor research.

Keywords: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; disparity; hysterectomy; leiomyoma; uterine fibroid tumor.

Figure

Resource utilization by age and race (based on data from National Hospital Discharge Survey, National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey only). Solid line denotes black women; dotted line, white women. (Adapted from Flynn et al [25]. Used with permission.)