Based on the 2007 report by the Sinai Urban Health Institute, while numerous interventions including earlier detection and treatment for breast cancer has taken place over the last few decades, there have been no improvements in mortality for black women living in the U.S. Additionally, Chicago’s mortality disparity rate was the highest in the nation, where black women were 68% more likely to die from the disease than white women. The authors noted that access to mammography and treatment as well as quality of mammography led to the disparate health outcomes between black and white women.  The goal of ECHO-Chicago Risk-Based Approach to Women's Healthcare series is to provide training and support to community providers in using risk-based approach to breast, bone, heart and gynecological health for high risk populations, with a focus on women in underserved communities. By educating community primary care providers to deliver state of the art care, the curriculum reduces barriers to care access.
 
Black and Hispanic women are at a disadvantage when it comes to mortality from other diseases as well. According to an analysis of the American Heart Association’s heart disease and stroke statistics, black women were at the highest risk for death from heart disease among all racial, ethnic, and gender groups. Additionally,  Latino women have higher rates of risk factors for heart disease vs white women, including obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, and hypertension. A risk-based approach to women’s healthcare focuses on assessing, and managing the multiple and often complex risk factors faced by women in vulnerable populations.