AHA launches women’s health initiative—doctor Jen Ashton and husband donate $1M
The American Heart Association (AHA) has announced a new women’s health initiative focused on helping clinicians learn more about the close relationship between cardiovascular disease and menopause.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women, and the menopause transition is associated with significant cardiometabolic risks that many clinicians may not fully understand. This continuing education (CE) program is designed to help cardiologists learn more about menopause and help OB-GYNs learn more about heart disease.
Donation seen as a way to help cardiologists, OB-GYNs get on the same page
The new initiative is being funded in part by a $1 million donation made by Jennifer Ashton, MD, who became a household name thanks to years of appearances on ABC News, Good Morning America and The Dr. Oz Show, and her husband, TV producer Tom Werner.
Ashton is a board-certified OB-GYN and nutrition specialist. She worked as the chief medical correspondent for ABC News and Good Morning America for several years. She is also an author, columnist and longtime AHA volunteer.
“As an OB-GYN, the daughter of a cardiologist and a woman, I know women’s cardiovascular risks are too often overlooked in midlife, which happens because OB-GYNs often don’t know the latest cardiology information, and cardiologists often are unaware of the most current aspects of menopause medicine,” Ashton said in a statement. “This program seeks to connect the dots between these two specialties with tailored curricula … it’s what doctors need to know. Coordinated, evidence‑based education that empowers clinicians across specialties is urgently needed to recognize and treat risks to women’s heart and brain health earlier. Tom and I are honored to support this initiative that we believe will change—and save—countless women’s lives.”
“We are profoundly grateful for Jen and Tom’s remarkable vision and generosity,” added Nancy Brown, AHA’s CEO. “Their leadership sets a new standard for philanthropy in women’s health. This commitment will accelerate the development of interdisciplinary education, but it will also redefine how cardiovascular and gynecologic health are connected across a woman’s life course ensuring women receive the proactive, integrated care they urgently need at one of life’s most pivotal stages.”
Ashton appeared on ABC’s The View to discuss the importance of this initiative. Cardiology and OB-GYN are the two healthcare specialties that have “arguably the biggest impact on woman,” she explained, but they don’t always collaborate or pay attention to one another.
“One hand was not talking to the other,” she said. “This was not due to a lack of difference, this was just reality. There were many cardiologists who weren’t up to date on the latest recommendations on menopause, on hormone therapy … and the OB-GYNs didn’t know how to best screen for heart disease in their patients.”
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.