CDC data show racial gaps in diagnoses for endometriosis, PMOS and fibroids

New CDC figures show lower-than-expected diagnosis rates for common gynecologic conditions

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, cited in STAT’s Morning Rounds on July 28, 2026, presents diagnosis rates for several prevalent gynecologic conditions among U.S. women ages 20 to 49. Based on a 2022–2023 survey of nearly 5,000 women, the CDC data show that endometriosis was reported by 6.2% of respondents, PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) by 8.7%, and uterine fibroids by 7.8%.

The STAT summary notes that these percentages are lower than what many experts estimate the true prevalence of these conditions to be. The article does not include the experts’ specific prevalence estimates or further methodological details beyond referencing the CDC dataset.

Racial differences in diagnoses: PMOS diagnosis lowest among Black women

The CDC data also reveal racial variation in diagnosis rates. In particular, the STAT piece highlights that PMOS diagnosis was lowest among Black women, at 4.4%. The report frames this finding as evidence that racial disparities persist in the diagnosis of these disorders — conditions that the article describes as common, often painful, and frequently undiagnosed, especially in women of color.

While the Morning Rounds item flags the disparity, it does not provide additional breakdowns for endometriosis or uterine fibroids by race and ethnicity in the excerpt, nor does it give further analysis of potential causes such as access to care, provider bias, differences in symptom presentation, or diagnostic practices.

What the data mean — and what the article does not report

The CDC survey results published in the STAT roundup offer a snapshot of self-reported or clinician-diagnosed conditions within a specific age range and time window (2022–2023). That context is important because prevalence estimates in other studies often differ depending on study design, diagnostic criteria, sampling frame, and whether cases are clinically confirmed or self-reported.

STAT’s coverage emphasizes that the reported rates are lower than some expert estimates, suggesting underdiagnosis or underreporting may be factors. However, the STAT excerpt does not include:

• details on how the CDC survey defined or ascertained diagnoses;
• age-stratified or region-specific breakdowns beyond the 20–49 age range;
• data on health care utilization, time to diagnosis, or symptom severity; or
• commentary from clinical experts or patient advocates explaining the drivers of the racial gaps.

Because those details were not reported in the source piece, readers should consult the CDC National Center for Health Statistics release cited by STAT for the full methodology and any supplemental tables that break down diagnoses by demographic and socioeconomic factors.

Why this matters for patients and health policy

Endometriosis, PMOS, and uterine fibroids are conditions that can cause significant pain, infertility, menstrual disruption, and reduced quality of life. Disparities in diagnosis — especially when particular racial or ethnic groups report lower diagnosis rates — raise concerns that some women may not be receiving timely evaluation, appropriate testing, or access to specialty care.

Lower diagnosis rates in survey data compared with expert prevalence estimates can reflect underrecognition in clinical practice, limited access to diagnostic procedures, or barriers to care for marginalized groups. Identifying where and why gaps exist is a prerequisite for targeted outreach, clinician education, and policy measures to improve equity in reproductive health care.

STAT coverage and related reporting

The Morning Rounds item was written by Theresa Gaffney and published July 28, 2026. The summary references additional STAT reporting in the same newsletter; it also flags a separate, longer story by Jason Mast about Anthony Fauci’s pandemic-era diary entries in the page headline. In the excerpt provided, STAT did not supply the content or details of the Fauci diary story within the Morning Rounds text.

What’s next and where to look for more information

The STAT excerpt points readers to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics as the original source of the survey figures. For anyone seeking deeper context — such as methodology, statistical confidence intervals, race- and ethnicity-specific tables, or population weighting — the CDC release should be consulted directly.

Researchers, clinicians, and policymakers interested in addressing diagnostic disparities can use the CDC data as a starting point but will need further information: longitudinal studies, clinical audits, and community-level analyses to understand causes and design interventions. The STAT piece itself does not outline next steps, policy proposals, or reactions from medical societies in the excerpt provided.

Bottom line

CDC survey data from 2022–2023 reported in STAT’s Morning Rounds indicate diagnosed rates of endometriosis (6.2%), PMOS (8.7%), and uterine fibroids (7.8%) among women ages 20 to 49, and show PMOS diagnosis at 4.4% for Black women. The figures are noted as lower than many experts’ prevalence estimates, and the article underscores continuing racial disparities in diagnosis. Additional methodological details and broader analyses were not included in the STAT excerpt; readers should consult the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics release for the full dataset and supporting documentation.

— Reporting in this item was published by STAT’s Morning Rounds and attributed to Theresa Gaffney on July 28, 2026. Details on other headline items referenced on the page, including the Fauci diary coverage, were not reported in the excerpt.