(NCQA: Washington) -- Women are significantly less likely than men to have their LDL cholesterol controlled to recommended levels, according to a new study by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The study, published in the May/June edition of Women’s Health Issues, investigated gender differences in cardiovascular disease prevention, treatment, and risk factors based on health-plan employer data, and information set (HEDIS) health-care quality data from national commercial- and Medicare-managed care plans.

The study, “Improving the Quality of Care for Cardiovascular Disease: Using National Managed Care Performance Data to Investigate Gender Differences in HEDIS Measures Related to Heart Disease,” analyzed data from a national sample of 46 commercial managed care plans and 148 Medicare plans across 11 HEDIS measures of care for cardiovascular conditions and diabetes. The results, controlled for other factors such as age, income, and ethnicity, showed equal or better outcomes for women on most dimensions of care—with the notable exception of cholesterol control, where significant disparities existed between men and women.

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