Many low-income women in Georgia qualify for free breast and cervical cancer screenings, yet a significant number do not take advantage of these services. A new initiative at Morehouse School of Medicine aims to explore the barriers that Black and Latina women face in accessing these potentially life-saving programs.
The two-year, $800,000 project is funded by the Black Women’s Health Imperative, a national nonprofit and advocacy organization focused on advancing the health of Black women. According to researchers, the study seeks to understand why eligible women are not utilizing a program that Morehouse associate professor Desiree Rivers describes as “an incredible resource.”
The Georgia Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
The Georgia Breast and Cervical Cancer program provides free screenings for low-income, underinsured, or uninsured women. The program is part of a national initiative overseen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has funded the program since 1991.
Funding for the program has been under scrutiny. While a 2026 budget proposal under President Donald Trump’s administration sought to eliminate the program, the Senate’s latest budget preserves it, and the House proposal even increases funding, according to Molly Guthrie, vice president of policy and advocacy at Susan G. Komen.
The Gap Between Eligibility and Utilization
Despite the availability of free screenings, utilization remains low. In 2023, nearly half a million Georgia women between ages 18 and 64 were uninsured, representing 14% of that population. Uninsurance rates are particularly high among Latina women at 34.2%, and 12.7% among Black women, according to U.S. Census data.
In fiscal year 2024, the Georgia program screened just 11,919 women, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Screenings and related services are available at local public health departments, the Grady Health System, and select other locations.
Understanding Barriers to Screening
“Many women know they should get regular mammograms and cervical cancer screenings,” said Dr. Christopher Ervin, director for community-based initiatives at Morehouse School of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine. “But knowing isn’t the same as accessing the services, even if they’re free.”
Researchers point to several potential barriers. Lack of knowledge about the program, limited transportation, caregiving responsibilities, and difficulty taking time off work—particularly for hourly employees—may prevent women from seeking screenings.
Psychological factors also play a role. Jenny Spencer, assistant professor of population health at the University of Texas at Austin, notes that fear of a positive diagnosis or the belief that resources for follow-up care are unavailable can deter women from screening.
The Importance of Early Detection for Black and Latina Women
Early screening is particularly critical for Black and Latina women, who face worse outcomes compared with white women. According to Amirah Burton, a postdoctoral fellow at Morehouse, Black women are often diagnosed less frequently, but when diagnosed, they tend to experience poorer survival rates and overall outcomes.
Mortality rates for breast and cervical cancer are higher among non-Hispanic Black women than non-Hispanic white women. Black women also experience higher incidence rates of cervical cancer. Spencer emphasizes that these disparities are rooted in historical racism and systemic differences in clinical care, which persist even among patients with similar socioeconomic and health profiles.
Research Approach and Community Involvement
The Atlanta-based study aims to recruit 120 participants. Researchers will employ surveys and interviews to identify barriers to screening and work with community health workers to improve access. The study will also incorporate the perspectives of medical providers to assess the effectiveness of intervention strategies.
Screenings will be conducted at Grady Health System facilities. The research will focus on DeKalb and Fulton counties, areas with large Black populations. Burton highlights the significance of conducting the study within a historically Black college and university setting, noting that trust and cultural understanding can improve community engagement and participation.
Bridging the Gap Between Awareness and Access
Dr. Ervin underscores the ultimate goal: “When you look at what people should be doing to be healthy versus what they can do to be healthy, there is often a significant gap. The point of this study is to help our community members better utilize the screenings available to them.”
By identifying and addressing logistical, psychological, and social barriers, the Morehouse study hopes to increase early detection of breast and cervical cancers, ultimately reducing disparities and improving health outcomes for Black and Latina women in Georgia.
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