PORTLAND, ORE. (April 11, 2024) − Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center has been recognized for its success in supporting Black maternal health by U.S. News & World Report for Black Maternal Health Week 2024.
“We are proud that Kaiser Permanente is being recognized for its excellence in maternity care for Black and African American patients,” said Elizabeth Melendez, M.D., Chief of Hospital Obstetrics, for Kaiser Permanente Northwest. “Our care model includes certified nurse midwives, family medicine physicians, obstetricians, and perinatologists. Our integrated team approach is key to closing health disparity gaps, improving maternal health outcomes, and providing equitable care for everyone, while supporting the individual needs of our patients throughout pregnancy and delivery.”
U.S. News’ analysis of all High-Performing Maternity Care Hospitals in the U.S. identified just 26 hospitals nationwide achieving excellent outcomes for cesarean section and unexpected newborn complications among Black patients.
U.S. News identified hospitals that were rated High Performing in U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care and served at least 20 Black patients per year. They had newborn complication rates of less than 2.62% and c-section rates of less than 23.9% (among hospitals providing a higher level of care) or 23.6% (among hospitals not providing a higher level of care) among Black patients.
“For Black Maternal Health Week 2024, we celebrate these hospitals' success in their important work supporting and advancing Black maternal health as part of U.S. News’ ongoing commitment to health equity and our support of women’s access to maternity care,” said Jennifer Winston, Ph.D., health data scientist at U.S. News.
A hospital that has earned a High Performing designation may be a good option for parents, in consultation with their medical provider, to consider.
Founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), Black Maternal Health Week is held every April as part of National Minority Health Month; this year is the seventh annual observation of Black Maternal Health Week. Join the conversation for Black Maternal Health Week 2024 from April 11-17, 2024, using #BMHW24 on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
PORTLAND, ORE. (April 9, 2024): Women who reported drinking 8 or more alcoholic beverages per week were significantly more likely to develop coronary heart disease than those who drank less, according to new Kaiser Permanente research released in advance of Alcohol Awareness Month this April.
The study reveals a concerning relationship between alcohol intake and heart disease risk in women, indicating that women who reported high alcohol intake (8 or more drinks per week) had a 45% higher risk of heart disease compared to women reporting moderate intake. Women reporting moderate intake (3-7 drinks per week) had a 29% higher risk of heart disease compared with those reporting low intake. And in the overall population, men with high intake were 22% more likely to develop heart disease compared with men who had moderate intake.
The study, recently presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session, focused on data from more than 430,000 Kaiser Permanente patients ages 18-65 and is one of the largest and most diverse studies to date examining the links between alcohol and heart disease. Heart attacks and other forms of heart disease are on the rise in younger populations in the U.S., fueling concern about worsening health outcomes. At the same time, alcohol use and binge drinking have become more common among women than in previous decades.
“Both men and women who consume excess alcohol have a higher risk of heart disease,” said Dr. Priya Kansal, cardiologist with Kaiser Permanente Northwest. “For women, we find consistently higher risk even without binge drinking. Many women often think they are protected against heart disease until they are older, but this study shows that even when you’re young or middle-aged, if you are a heavy alcohol user or binge drink, you are at risk for coronary heart disease."
The study underscores the importance of considering alcohol consumption in heart disease risk assessment and prevention efforts.
Interviews available:
Dr. Priya Kansal, cardiologist with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for Zoom interviews with media Tuesday, April 9, between noon-3 p.m. Contact Kim Mounts to schedule.
Dr. Kansal is prepared to discuss:
- Findings from the study re. the relationship between alcohol intake and the risk of heart disease in women.
- How alcohol consumption affects heart health differently compared to men.
- How much alcohol is safe for women to consume per week to maintain heart health.
- Why women are drinking more alcohol now than in previous decades.
- Practical steps or lifestyle changes women can take to mitigate the risk of heart disease if they consume alcohol.
ABOUT KAISER PERMANENTE
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.