Xavier Becerra, Secretary and Deputy Secretary & Andrea Palm, Deputy Secretary | https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/xavier-becerra.html https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/andrea-palm.html
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health has revealed the winners of the final phase of the HHS Hypertension Innovator Award Competition. The competition aimed to identify and reward innovative programs ensuring women with hypertension during pregnancy and postpartum periods receive appropriate monitoring and follow-up.
Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine emphasized the importance of recognizing programs addressing hypertension during pregnancy, stating, "By recognizing innovative programs addressing hypertension during pregnancy and maternal health disparities across the nation, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring nationwide maternal health excellence and equity."
Dorothy Fink, M.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health and Director of the Office on Women’s Health, stressed the significance of managing hypertension for the well-being of both mother and baby, stating, "Managing hypertension before, during, and after pregnancy is paramount for the well-being of both mother and baby."
The competition, in line with the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to combat maternal mortality and improve maternal and infant health, focused on underserved communities. Hypertension affects a significant number of pregnancies in the U.S., with disparities impacting communities of color. Factors contributing to these disparities include access to healthcare, racial bias, and psychosocial stress.
The final phase of the competition recognized programs that successfully replicated and expanded their initiatives. Winners included institutions such as Boston Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, CommonSpirit Health, Emagine Solutions Technology, Lehigh Valley Health Network, New York City Health + Hospitals, Ochsner Health, Preeclampsia Foundation, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Wisconsin.
These innovative programs ranged from remote monitoring of postpartum patients to virtual engagement for hypertension management, all aimed at improving maternal health outcomes. The winning initiatives showcased a commitment to inclusivity, preventative care, and technological advancements in maternal healthcare.
The HHS Hypertension Innovator Award Competition's final phase winners have each received a prize of up to $100,000 for their impactful contributions to maternal health and hypertension management.
