FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pamela Larkin, 408.466.5952, [email protected]
Arlington, VA (August 4, 2020) – Today, Advantia Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lisa Shah released the following statement on behalf of the company:
“In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, Breastfeeding Awareness Month and World Breastfeeding Week have taken on new significance. Advantia Health is proud to celebrate these important observances this year and to provide our patients with advice and resources to support breastfeeding during this particularly stressful time.
More than a quarter of new moms who weren’t planning to breastfeed have made different choices due to fears and uncertainties during the pandemic. While this trend is positive, breastfeeding remains a challenge for many. In a study from UC Davis Medical Center, 92% of moms reported difficulties with breastfeeding, and 44% reported feeling pain and discomfort. COVID-19 has heightened these challenges, as mothers are conflicted between wanting to do what is right for the health of their baby and feeling concerned about in-person visits to the doctor or lactation consultant.
At Advantia, we are working to support mothers through this difficult time. We are offering telehealth to all our patients, providing them a convenient, contactless option to ask questions and get support from their providers. Additionally, Pacify, our lactation consulting app, is supporting thousands of mothers across the U.S. as they tackle breastfeeding and other understandable fears that come with motherhood in the midst of a pandemic.
71% of new moms say they prefer virtual telehealth support as opposed to in-person visits for lactation consultations, and overall 78% of telehealth users are satisfied with their experience. Telehealth can have a significant impact on improving breastfeeding outcomes with real time support at the moment when mothers are struggling or have questions. A 2019 study of Pacify’s partnership with Mississippi’s Women, Infants and Children program found that women using Pacify were one and a half times more likely to be breastfeeding at three months and two times more likely to be breastfeeding at six months.
We are committed to helping new parents as they journey through parenthood during these challenging and unprecedented times. Breastfeeding, when possible, is an important part of the journey, and we hope that more mothers will be able to take advantage of resources such as telehealth and Pacify to have greater breastfeeding success.”
About Dr. Lisa Shah
Dr. Lisa Shah is the Chief Medical Officer of Advantia Health. Dr. Shah has hands-on experience in cutting-edge areas healthcare, from designing value-based care models to leading provider innovation. In every role, she works to incorporate patient-friendly technology into the care experience. Dr. Shah leads the team that is building Advantia’s flagship practice, Liv by Advantia Health, which will offer integrated, complete care for women including gynecology, obstetrics, primary care, mental wellness, physical therapy and more in one convenient location designed for women. Recently, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Shah drove innovation and expansion by quickly bringing telehealth online at all 50 of Advantia’s practices nationwide. In addition to her career as a practicing physician and health care innovator, Dr. Shah is passionate about promoting equity and inclusion for women.
About Advantia Health and Pacify
Advantia is transforming healthcare for all women – we’re setting a higher standard of care and convenience while reducing unnecessary costs. Compassion and value inspire everything we do. We take time to listen, answer questions completely, and offer helpful technology between visits so that our patients are empowered and at ease. Alongside coordinated care, Advantia is pioneering care models that align incentives with the best interests of women and their families.
Pacify was founded on the idea that more can be done to use mobile technology to help families access excellent prenatal and pediatric care. Pacify’s industry-leading mobile platform provides instantaneous, 24/7 support to new mothers. Pacify serves a diverse range of mothers via contracts with Medicaid Managed Care Companies, state Departments of Health, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, employers, and breast pump manufacturers. In 2019, Pacify was acquired by Advantia Health as part of its commitment to continued investment in technologies that improve the lives and health of women and their families.
Learn more at AdvantiaHealth.com and Pacify.com.