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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of adults who get screened for colorectal cancer — C‑07 Infographic

This objective is a Leading Health Indicator (LHI). Learn about LHIs.

Status: Baseline only

  Baseline only

Most Recent Data:
58.7 percent (2021) *

Target:
68.3 percent  *

Desired Direction:
Increase desired

Baseline:
58.7 percent of adults aged 45 to 75 years received a colorectal cancer screening based on the most recent guidelines in 2021  *

* Age adjusted to the year 2000 standard population.

Getting regular colorectal cancer screening tests is the most effective way to lower your risk of colorectal cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults ages 45 to 75 years get screened for colorectal cancer. Addressing barriers to timely colorectal cancer screening, like access to health care, is an essential step in reducing disparities in colorectal cancer rates.

In 2021, 58.7 percent of adults aged 45 to 75 years received a colorectal cancer screening based on the most recent guidelines.  *

Data Source:  National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS

Disparities in colorectal cancer screening rates by health insurance status (for adults aged 45–64 years): Highest/lowest rate  * ‡

In 2021, adults aged 45–64 years who were uninsured had the lowest group rate of colorectal cancer screening (21.4 percent). Adults with private health insurance (reference group) had the highest group rate (55.1 percent).

The colorectal cancer screening rate among adults with private health insurance was more than 2.5 times the rate among adults who were uninsured (maximal rate ratio). The difference between the highest and lowest group rates was 33.7 percentage points (maximal rate difference).

Learn about how we calculate disparities data.

Disparities in colorectal cancer screening rates by health insurance status (for adults aged 45–64 years): All groups  * ‡

In 2021, adults with private health insurance had the highest group rate of colorectal cancer screening (55.1 percent).

  • The highest group rate was less than 10 percent higher than the colorectal cancer screening rate among adults with public health insurance.
  • The highest group rate was more than 2.5 times the colorectal cancer screening rate among adults who were uninsured.

Percentage of adults aged 45–64 years who received a colorectal cancer screening, 2021  *

55.1% Adults with private health insurance
50.7% Adults with public health insurance
21.4% Adults who were uninsured

Find data for additional demographic groups.