A recent study has uncovered significant racial disparities in the use of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) among women in the United States. The research, published in JAMA Health Forum, shows a dramatic 82% decline in HT use from 1999 to 2020, with the sharpest drops observed among minority women.
The study, which analyzed data from over 13,000 postmenopausal women, found that HT use fell from 26.9% in 1999 to just 4.7% in 2020 across all age groups. However, the decline was not uniform across racial and ethnic lines.
Hispanic women experienced a decline from 13.8% to 2.6%, while Black women saw an even steeper drop from 11.9% to a mere 0.5%. In contrast, white women, despite also experiencing a significant decrease, maintained the highest prevalence of HT use, falling from 31.4% to 5.8%.
These findings highlight a concerning gap in menopausal care for minority women. Factors such as family income, health insurance coverage, and educational attainment were found to influence HT use, suggesting that socioeconomic factors play a crucial role in access to treatment.
Experts attribute the overall decline to the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative trial results, which initially suggested increased cardiovascular and cancer risks associated with HT. However, subsequent analyses have shown that these risks vary based on factors like age and time since menopause onset.
Dr. Tara K. Iyer and Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, in an accompanying editorial, emphasized the need for increased awareness and clinician education about current evidence-based practices in menopause management to address these disparities and ensure equitable access to appropriate care for all women.
See “Menopausal hormone therapy use fell 82% since 1999, as ‘negative perceptions’ persist” (September 27, 2024)
