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Allen Women’s Health official reports rise in prenatal high blood pressure, urges further study
Summary
Katie Strub told the Black Hawk County Board of Health that Allen Women’s Health & Child Protection Center is seeing a significant increase in prenatal high blood pressure and is taking steps to monitor patients while seeking further study and HHS input. The clinic also reported service volumes and child‑protection outcomes for 2025.
Katie Strub of Allen Women’s Health & Child Protection Center told the Black Hawk County Board of Health on June 24 that the clinic has observed a worrying increase in prenatal high blood pressure and has begun proactive monitoring and patient education.
Strub presented program data for 2025: the clinic served 153 patients from Black Hawk County through Child Protection Center services, with 46 confirmed cases of abuse and 33 criminal charges filed. On family planning, Allen Women’s Health served over 1,800 unduplicated patients in 2025; 33% were at or below the federal poverty level and 19% were under 21 years old. Strub said misinformation on social media is affecting contraceptive choices, noting 17% of patients opted for no contraceptive method.
"We are seeing a significant increase in prenatal high blood pressure," Strub said, and described steps the clinic is taking: routine blood‑pressure monitoring using digital cuffs, patient education on warning signs, and escalation to hospital care when necessary. She told the board that the cause of the trend is unclear and that the clinic has brought the pattern to Iowa HHS for further review.
Board members pressed for explanations. Chair Dr. Disa Cornish asked whether the trend is being seen nationally and whether changing maternal age or prenatal conditions could be factors; Strub said older maternal age and prenatal hypertension are linked to increased postpartum blood‑pressure problems and emphasized the challenge of improving preconception health. Dr. Adam Roise asked what is driving an increase in visits; Strub attributed higher visit counts to the clinic’s flexible, patient‑centered approach, longer visits and word‑of‑mouth from trusted providers.
Strub also reported that 20% of maternal‑health patients required interpretation services across 14 languages, and that some patients needed emergency transfers because of high blood pressure. The board expressed appreciation for the team’s integrated approach and urged continued tracking and reporting to HHS.
