HEALTH EQUITY
HEALTH EQUITY
WOMEN ’ S HEART HEALTH
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States , and heart disease and stroke are responsible for 1 in 3 deaths among women each year , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association , respectively . Because women have unique risk factors and symptoms , they may need cardiac care designed to address their specific needs . Increasing awareness of heart disease in women increases their chances of survival .
The Women ’ s Heart Health Clinic at The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital plays a leading role in advancing specialized cardiac care for the women of Alabama and the surrounding region . The highest concentration of heart disease deaths among women is in the south – especially in Alabama , Mississippi , and Louisiana .
Directed by UAB cardiologist Salpy Pamboukian , MD , the UAB Women ’ s Heart Health Clinic evaluates and manages the full spectrum of heart disease while addressing the distinct concerns of women . Clinic patients have access to UAB Medicine ’ s vast diagnostic and therapeutic services , along with the collaborative expertise of other renowned UAB cardiac experts , including hypertension specialist Suzanne Oparil , MD ; advanced heart failure specialist Joanna Joly , MD ; and interventional cardiologist Brigitta Brott , MD .
Dr . Pamboukian ’ s commitment to empowering female patients led UAB Medicine to partner with WomenHeart : The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease , an organization dedicated to heart disease education and patient support . Dr . Pamboukian nominated UAB Medicine patients Sherron Simmons and Joy O ’ Neal to become UAB WomenHeart Champions and help educate women in the Birmingham area about heart health .
HIGHLIGHTS
• UAB Hospital received the 2021 America ’ s Best Hospitals designation and the Women ’ s Choice Award for multiple practice areas , including cardiac care .
• Provides an entry point for women with a new or existing heart disease diagnosis
• Promotes patient advocacy through community outreach
HRTSA CLINIC
The UAB School of Nursing ’ s Heart FailuRe Transitional Care Services for Adults ( HRTSA ) Clinic is a nursemanaged , interprofessional , collaborative clinic for underserved patients with a heart failure diagnosis . It provides guidelines-based care and education to patients and their caregivers across the care continuum by seeing patients in the hospital , in clinic , and at their homes .
Among the clinic ’ s patient population , 87 % do not have insurance , 40 % have no income , 29 % live on less than $ 10,000 a year , and 79 % are unemployed . Most are impacted by food insecurity and have difficulty obtaining important medications . Food and medication are provided through the clinic ’ s partnerships with Food Link and The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital Pharmacy and Dispensary of Hope . Patients with the most serious diagnoses are seen in person , and many others are served through telehealth or even phone calls in light of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The clinic includes nurse practitioners , clinical nurse leaders , social workers , registered nurses , patient care technicians , collaborating physicians , pharmacists , public health professionals , and behavioral health integration services . The clinic also provides opportunities for students from a variety of disciplines to learn by participating in an innovative , interprofessional model of care .
20 UAB Cardiovascular Institute Annual Report