Trinity Health Grand Rapids’ New Mobile Mammogram Vehicle Helps Reduce Health Inequities for Underserved Women

In response to the growing need for state-of-the-art breast care among vulnerable women in Grand Rapids, Trinity Health Grand Rapids (THGR) has purchased a mobile mammography bus to reach these women and close the health inequities.

According to the World Health Organization, health inequities are: “systematic differences in health outcomes…differences in health status or in the distribution of health resources between different population groups, arising from the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.”

The Problem and the Solution

Before Saint Mary’s Foundation invested in this outreach program, THGR assessed the needs of the local community.

• In 2020, nearly half of eligible women in Grand Rapids’ racial and ethnically diverse neighborhoods had not had a mammogram.
• The breast cancer death rate among black women is 40% higher than among white women.
• In 2020, of the 7,936 Trinity Health patients eligible for a mammogram, 59% (4,692) had not received one.
• Screening reduces the number of cancer deaths by 20%.

Why do women hesitate to get a mammogram? These barriers to getting a mammogram were also considered:

• They have no health insurance.
• They have a high level of mistrust toward health care.
• They lack transportation.
• They do not want to go into a group health care setting.
• They fear the results of the scan.

The solution was clear — provide free, convenient, preventive breast care services to medically indigent women. Through mobile 3-D mammography, THGR can help enhance early detection, promote equity, and decrease mortality.

An initial grant of $250,000 from the Trinity Health Preserving Our Legacy Fund kicked off the fundraising efforts for this project. Through a variety of fundraising efforts, Saint Mary’s Foundation is pleased to fund the remaining capital costs of more than $750,000.

“Our biggest goal is to reduce barriers to screening mammography by bringing the unit directly to underserved communities. Annual screening mammography is proven to reduce mortality due to breast cancer, so any opportunity to make this simple exam easy and convenient is a huge win for overall community health,” said Michelle Rabideau, president, Saint Mary’s Foundation.

The Vehicle

This 40-foot bus will be staffed by a driver/check-in colleague and one technologist. It has the same high quality 3-D imaging suite as at Trinity Health’s other imaging centers, two changing rooms, and a reception/waiting area.

If they are already Trinity Health patients, women who use this mobile mammography bus will receive their results through MyChart. Otherwise, results can be sent to them via mail or through their Primary Care office.

The Cost to the Patient

“Since implementation of the Affordable Care Act, screening mammograms are covered 100% by insurance,” said Becky Mercier, supervisor, Breast Imaging, Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

“In cases where patients do not have insurance, we work with the Kent County Health Department’s Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program to cover fully the cost of the screening and potential follow-up imaging. This program is income-based for women ages 40-64. If patients are outside of that criteria and have other financial hardships, we have other resources available to ensure that screening is not avoided because of financial concerns,” Mercier added.

The bus will provide these vital preventive services in 11 locations and neighborhoods around the city, including the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. THGR also has three stationery mammograph centers.

Ribbon Cutting

On Monday, July 31, a ribbon cutting took place celebrating the launch of the Mobile Mammography Unit. Congratulations to all who made this amazing outreach vehicle that delivers health care to vulnerable community members. (See photo below.)

To schedule a mobile mammogram, call 855-559-7179.

To support other projects sponsored by the Saint Mary’s Foundation that focus on meeting the needs of the underserved in Grand Rapids, please click here.

View Tour of Mobile Mammography Unit.

View 6 things to know about the new mobile mammography unit.

Ribbon Cutting Event