Persistent disparities in pap test use: assessments and predictions for Asian women in the U.S., 1982-2010.

Disparities in cancer screening among U.S. women are well documented. However, little is known about Pap test use by Asian women living in the U.S. Data for women, ages 18 and older, living in the U.S. were obtained from National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) files from 1982 to 2005. Outcomes were ever having a Pap test and having a Pap test within the preceding 3 years. Pap test prevalence trends were estimated by race and ethnicity and for Asian subgroups. Fractional logit models were used to predict Pap test use in 2010. Although the rate of having a Pap test within the preceding 3 years increased slightly from 1982 to 2005 for all U.S. women, Asian women continue to have the lowest rate. Pap test use also varied within Asian subpopulations living in the U.S. None of the races and ethnicities are predicted to reach the Pap test targets of Healthy People 2010. To reduce or eliminate continuing disparities in Pap test use requires targeted policy interventions.