Screening & treating maternal psychological health key to improving cardiovascular health

UCLA School of Nursing Assistant Professor Dana Beck, PhD, FNP-BC, is co-author on a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

The statement focuses on the importance of identifying and treating risk factors for depression, anxiety, and other psychological health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum to help improve short- and long-term cardiovascular health outcomes for both mother and child.

The American Heart Association says scientific statements promote greater awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke issues and help facilitate informed health care decisions. Scientific statements outline what is currently known about a topic and what areas need additional research. 

"I’m so grateful I got to be a part of the team who worked to put this statement together. There are many initiatives happening nationally and locally in LA County to optimize the health and well-being of perinatal individuals who experience psychological conditions. I currently collaborate with local implementation and evaluation of interventions through the PROMISE team at LA County DHS and the LAMMHA team, whose current work focuses on Federally Qualified Health Centers in LA County," Beck said. "My hope is that with ongoing research, community engagement, and connection to resources for clinicians and patients we will advance the evidence base around system level models that work and result in more equitable patient and family centered perinatal mental health care."

Read the full scientific statement