Yale Study finds shifts and disparities in colorectal cancer screening among privately insured U.S. adults

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is considered one of the most effective and successful tools to protect public health: Screening has been found to significantly reduce the incidence of CRC through the removal of precancerous polyps during colonoscopies and to decrease mortality through early identification and early treatment. Yet uptake of CRC screening remains low across the United States.

In a new study, Yale researchers evaluated the uptake of different tests and procedures used to screen for CRC among privately insured adults in the U.S. They found important differences in the use of various screening tests and procedures based on sex, socioeconomic status, and metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan residence.

“Elucidating these patterns is key to addressing health disparities and improving screening for all, as there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to screening for CRC among diverse population subgroups,” said Sunny Siddique, postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology (CDE) at Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) and first author of the study.

The study appears in the journal JAMA Network Open.

CRC is the second leading cause of cancer death in the country. Over the past two decades, the incidence and mortality of CRC have decreased, largely due to the uptake of screening. Despite its benefits, however, screening participation remains below the national target of 80% among adults aged 45 years and older. In 2022, analysis of recent survey data has shown that, among adults aged 50 to 75 years, the CRC screening rate was approximately 61%.

There are several different tests and procedures that can be used to screen individuals for CRC. While colonoscopy is the most common, other screening tools and procedures include stool-based tests (such as fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) and stool DNA tests), radiologic tests (like computed tomographic (CT) colonography), and other visual endoscopic examinations. Yet the uptake of these different screening options has largely been unknown.

To close this critical knowledge gap, the researchers conducted a large national study of 24,973,624 privately insured adults to evaluate the uptake of different tests and procedures used to screen for CRC in the United States.

See the Message Center below for Connecticut’s top November events — from Hartford Wolf Pack games to events at Fairfield Theatre Company — and don’t miss our links for Connecticut merch by town!

They compared the uptake of various CRC screening options from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2024, using advanced time series methodology. They categorized those 96 months into 48 consecutive two-month periods to capture potential shifts in screening patterns and short-term epidemiologic phenomena (including each wave of the COVID-19 pandemic) that could have affected the uptake of CRC screening.

For each of those periods, they used deidentified claims data of individuals aged 50 to 75 years who are privately insured through Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS), the largest provider of commercial insurance in the country. Those claims included different measures of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, including age, sex, race, ethnicity, zip codes, and more.

Through their methodology, the researchers found that the use of colonoscopy and FIT declined during that time period, and that stool DNA test use has increased. They also found important disparities in the use of various screening tests and procedures based on sex, socioeconomic status (SES), and metropolitan area residential status. For example, men had higher use of colonoscopy while women had higher use of stool DNA test. And areas where a marker of SES was in the top 20% and metropolitan areas had more frequent use of both screening options.

“Our findings suggest important changes in the uptake of various CRC screening tests and procedures in the U.S.,” Siddique said. “It would be important to develop tailored interventions to improve screening uptake and reach the national target of screening 80% or more of the population in every community.”

The findings, researchers say, shed light on the rapidly evolving landscape of CRC screening in the U.S. Although all individuals included in the study had commercial insurance, the researchers still observed significant variations in the uptake of CRC screening, underscoring the need for more nuanced approaches to improve screening for all.

“In our future studies, we are interested in understanding geographic differences in the use of various CRC screening modalities to inform the development of targeted interventions,” said Xiaomei Ma, senior author of the study and professor of epidemiology and interim chair of the Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology at YSPH. “Furthermore, we hope to examine the impact of different modalities on CRC incidence and mortality, as well as the cost-effectiveness of different modalities.”

Other Yale authors include Rong Wang, senior research scientist at the Department of CDE at YSPH and Cary Gross, professor of medicine (general medicine) and of epidemiology (chronic diseases) at Yale School of Medicine.

Don’t miss

• Holiday magic returns: The 39th annual New England Christmas Festival comes to Mohegan Sun
• Little Theatre of Manchester unveils 2026 season featuring musicals, dramas, and Neil Simon comedy
• Post-pandemic COVID-19 continues to drive year-round work absences, Yale Study finds

••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••

We have your Connecticut gifts

Show your Connecticut pride with our exclusive Connecticut merch, featuring designs that celebrate every corner of the state. From our popular “Just a Kid From…” town series to Patriotic, Coordinates, and other locally inspired styles, each design captures what makes Connecticut home. Explore a variety of items, including T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, tote bags, blankets, and more, all with free shipping. Whether you’re representing your hometown or celebrating your love for the state, these pieces are the perfect way to wear your Connecticut pride every day.

203 • Two O’ Three • 860 • Eight Six O’ • I Really Really Miss Connecticut • Just a kid from Connecticut

Vintage Merritt Parkway Exits
Exit 27 • Exit 28 • Exit 29 • Exit 31 • Exit 33 • Exit 34 • Exit 35 • Exit 36 • Exit 37 • Exit 38 • Exit 39 • Exit 40 • Exit 41 • Exit 42 • Exit 44 • Exit 46 • Exit 47 • Exit 48 • Exit 49 • Exit 50 • Exit 51 • Exit 52 • Exit 53 • Exit 54

Vintage Wilbur Cross Parkway
Exit 55 • Exit 55B • Exit 56 • Exit 57 • Exit 58 • Exit 59 • Exit 60 • Exit 61 • Exit 62 • Exit 63 • Exit 64 • Exit 65 • Exit 66• Exit 67 • Exit 68N-E • Exit 68W

Fairfield County
Bethel • Bridgeport• Brookfield • Danbury • Darien • Easton • Fairfield • Greenwich• Monroe • New Canaan • New Fairfield • Newtown • Norwalk • Redding • Ridgefield • Shelton • Sherman • Stamford • Stratford • Trumbull • Weston • Westport • Wilton

Hartford County
Avon • Berlin • Bloomfield • Bristol • Burlington • Canton • East Granby • East Hartford • East Windsor • Enfield • Farmington • Glastonbury • Granby • Hartford • Hartland • Manchester • Marlborough • New Britain • Newington • Plainville • Rocky Hill • Simsbury • South Windsor • Southington • Suffield • West Hartford • Wethersfield • Windsor • Windsor Locks

Litchfield County
Barkhamsted • Bethlehem • Bridgewater • Canaan • Colebrook • Cornwall • Goshen • Harwinton • Kent • Litchfield • Morris • New Hartford • New Milford • Norfolk •North Canaan • Plymouth • Salisbury • Sharon • Torrington • Warren • Washington • Watertown • Winchester • Woodbury

Middlesex County
Chester • Clinton • Cromwell • Deep River • Durham • East Haddam • East Hampton • Essex • Haddam • Killingworth • Middlefield • Middletown • Old Saybrook • Portland • Westbrook

New Haven County
Ansonia • Beacon Falls • Bethany • Branford • Cheshire • Derby • East Haven •Guilford • Hamden • Madison • Meriden • Milddlebury • Milford • Naugatuck • New Haven • Orange • Oxford • Prospect • Seymour • Southbury • Wallingford • Waterbury• West Haven • Wolcott • Woodbridge

New London County
Bozrah • Colchester • East Lyme • Franklin • Griswold • Groton • Lebanon • Ledyard• Lisbon • Lyme • Montville • New London • North Stonington • Norwich • Old Lyme • Preston • Salem • Sprague • Stonington • Voluntown • Waterford

Tolland County
Andover • Bolton • Columbia • Coventry • Ellington • Hebron • Mansfield • Somers • Stafford • Tolland • Union • Vernon • Willington

Windham County
Ashford • Brooklyn • Canterbury • Chaplin • Hampton • Killingly • Pomfret.• Putnam • Scotland • Sterling • Thompson • Windham • Woodstock

November events at Fairfield Theatre Company

November at Fairfield Theatre Company is packed with a diverse lineup of events, from live music and tribute shows to film and community gatherings. Highlights include Kelsey Waldon on November 1, Color Me Obsessed: A Film about The Replacements and The Monet plays Jamiroquai on the 2nd, Heather Maloney & Dan Rodriguez on the 4th, Brian Dolzani as the Loner: The Music of Neil Young on the 6th, and the FTC Encore Gala on the 8th. The month also features performances by Zoso, Paul Bogaev, Mike Farris, Tropidelic, Black Flag, Mary Fahl, Shemekia Copeland, Marshall Crenshaw, The Jayhawks, and more, including multi-night appearances from Reid Genauer Soloand festive events like Funksgiving. With something for every taste, November at FTC offers music, film, and seasonal celebrations for the whole community.

November 2025 calendar of events
11/4 – Heather Maloney & Dan Rodriguez
11/5 – End of the Line
11/6 – Brian Dolzani as the Loner: The Music of Neil Young
11/8 – FTC Encore Gala
11/9 – Zoso
11/10 – An Evening with Paul Bogaev
11/12 – Randye Kaye
11/12 – Mike Farris
11/13 – FTC Short Film Festival
11/13 – Tropidelic
11/14 – Black Flag
11/14 -Mary Fahl
11/15 – A Night of Music
11/15 -Shemekia Copeland
11/16 – 399 Forever
11/16 – The Strange Dark
11/19 – Marshall Crenshaw
11/20 – The Arcadian Wild
11/21 – The Jayhawks
11/21 – Reid Genauer Solo
11/22 – Reid Genauer Solo
11/23 – Reid Genauer Solo
11/24 -Funksgiving
11/28 – Jake Swamp & The Pine
11/28 – Mullett
11/29 – Faster Things

Click here for more information & order tickets.

Learn to cook this fall with AMG Catering

AMG Catering and Events in Wilton, Connecticut, is offering a fall series of cooking classes designed to celebrate seasonal flavors and global cuisine. Each class combines hands-on instruction with perfectly paired beverages, from wine and beer to creative cocktails, as participants learn to prepare a variety of savory and sweet dishes. From autumn-inspired comfort foods to festive holiday treats, these classes provide an interactive, fun experience for home cooks of all skill levels. Join AMG this fall to sharpen your culinary skills, explore new flavors, and enjoy delicious meals in a vibrant, social setting. Click here for more information.

November events at PeoplesBank Arena

11/7 – UMass Lowell vs UConn Men’s Basketball, click here to purchase tickets
11/8 – Playboi Carti, click here to purchase tickets
11/13 – Bert Kreischer, click here to purchase tickets
11/14 – Rochester Americans vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets
11/15 – Laval Rocket vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets
11/16 – Ohio State vs UConn Women’s Basketball, click here to purchase tickets
11/18 – Springfield Thunderbirds vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets
11/21 – Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets
11/22 – Lehigh Valley Phantoms vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets
11/23 – Bryan vs UConn Mens Basketball, click here to purchase tickets
11/25 – Stonehill College vs UConn Ice Hockey, click here to purchase tickets
11/26 – Springfield Thunderbirds vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets

Your ad here

The Message Center on Finding Connecticut appears on every post across the site, giving your message maximum exposure to a statewide audience. Whether you’re promoting an event, business, product, or service, your message will be seen by thousands of engaged readers exploring Connecticut content every day. Placement runs monthly, making it an ideal option for consistent visibility without the need for daily management. With prominent positioning and a streamlined setup process, the Message Center offers an affordable, effective way to get your message in front of locals—right where they’re already paying attention. Reserve your spot today to get noticed. Click here for more information on Message Center ads. Click here for more advertising opportunities.

Gourmet Cookies

Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!

Save on CBD!

My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.

Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.

Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops • Pet Treats

Let’s create with Victory Designs

Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.

Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!

Connecticut with us!

Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.

Stay connected with us on social media

Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community

Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram

Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page

Don’t miss our reviews

Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews

Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events

Foxwoods celebrates November with All Star Sumo, John Legend & a season like no other

ICYMI: Our top 5 visited stories of the week

Yale Study finds shifts and disparities in colorectal cancer screening among privately insured U.S. adults