Authors: Luke Connelly, Gianluca Fiorentini , Moslem Rashidi
Abstract
This study investigates the causal effects of missed and delayed mammography screenings on emergency hospitalizations, focusing on overnight stays due to emergency conditions. Using data from the SHARE dataset, we exploit disruptions in breast cancer screening services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural experiment. These disruptions, stemming from varying levels of restrictions across European countries from March to August 2020, serve as instrumental variables in our IV-LASSO framework to identify the effects of mammography timing.
Our results reveal that undergoing mammography significantly reduces the probability of emergency hospitalization for emergency conditions. The analysis identifies distinct Local Average Treatment Effects (LATEs) for different compliance groups, with the combined effect indicating a notable protective benefit of timely mammography screenings.
The findings highlight the critical role of regular screening programs in preventing treatable conditions from escalating into emergencies. They also emphasize the health and economic consequences of disrupted preventative care during public health crises. Policymakers should prioritize strategies to maintain routine screenings during emergencies, such as enhancing access to alternative care methods. Future research could explore the long-term impacts of delayed care and the broader applicability of these findings across diverse healthcare systems and conditions.