Interviews Today: Portland Thorns Physician Offers Soccer Safety Tips - 07/07/26

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 6, 2026) ~ As World Cup excitement brings more athletes onto the soccer field, Kaiser Permanente Northwest is offering expert guidance to help players of all ages stay healthy and avoid preventable injuries. Dr. Jacqueline Brady, Sports Medicine Physician for Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Team Physician for the Portland Thorns, is available to share soccer safety tips, from injury prevention and hydration to recognizing when it’s time to seek care.

Whether it's a youth player, weekend athlete, or competitive soccer player, the sport offers important health benefits but can also lead to injuries including muscle strains, knee and ankle injuries, concussions, and dehydration without proper preparation and safety measures.

"Soccer is a sport that brings people together and keeps people moving, but players of all ages need to remember that preparation is just as important as performance," said Dr. Brady. "Taking time to warm up properly, build strength, stay hydrated, and listen to your body can make a big difference in preventing injuries and keeping athletes on the field."

Dr. Brady recommends that athletes gradually build up their training, use the proper equipment, prioritize recovery, and avoid playing through unusual pain. She also encourages parents and coaches to recognize when an injury needs medical attention to prevent a minor issue from becoming a more serious problem.

Interviews available:

Dr. Jacqueline Brady, Sports Medicine Physician for Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Team Physician for the Portland Thorns, is available for interviews on Tuesday, July 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.

Dr. Brady is available to discuss:

• Common soccer injuries and how players can help prevent them

• Injury prevention tips for youth athletes, recreational players, and competitive soccer players

• The importance of warmups, stretching, strength training, and recovery

• How to recognize and respond to possible concussions

• Hydration strategies and preventing dehydration during practices and games

• The role of proper footwear, shin guards, and other soccer equipment

• When athletes should stop playing and seek medical evaluation

• How parents and coaches can help keep young athletes safe

About Kaiser Permanente 

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org. 

INTERVIEWS Today: Doctor Offers Fourth Of July Safety Tips - 07/01/26

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 1, 2026) With Independence Day approaching, emergency departments across the country prepare for a predictable surge in injuries related to fireworks, alcohol use, heat exposure and holiday celebrations. Nationally, emergency room visits increase significantly around July 4, with more than 45,000 people seeking emergency care between July 4 and July 5. The most common injuries related to misuse or malfunctioning fireworks are burns to hands and fingers, eye injuries, facial trauma and hearing damage.

Dr. Anne Toledo, family medicine physician and former chief of urgent care for Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for interviews today, Wednesday, July 1 to discuss the most common Fourth of July injuries and provide practical tips to help families celebrate safely.

"Many Fourth of July injuries happen in a matter of seconds but can have lifelong consequences” said Dr. Toledo. “Whether you're using fireworks, spending time in the sun, or enjoying a celebratory drink, taking a few extra safety precautions can help protect yourself and your loved ones and keep the holiday fun and injury-free."

Interviews Today: Dr. Anne Toledo, July 1 at 11 a.m. to noon, and 2:15-3 p.m.

Topics Dr. Toledo can address:

• Fireworks Safety
• Alcohol and Holiday Injuries
• Heat and Summer Safety
• When to Go to the Emergency Room

INTERVIEWS: Loneliness A Growing Concern During Men's Mental Health Month - 06/24/26

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 24, 2026) ~ Loneliness is an increasingly urgent health concern for younger adult men, yet it remains one of the least discussed topics during Men's Health Month. While conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and erectile dysfunction often take center stage, social isolation is emerging as a critical factor affecting both mental and physical health.

As male social circles continue to shrink, research shows only 27% of men report having six close friends, about half the number reported 30 years ago. At the same time, loneliness has been linked to higher risks of depression, anxiety, and chronic health conditions, raising questions about how men can build meaningful connections and improve overall well-being.

"Loneliness isn’t just an emotional experience. It has real consequences for both mental and physical health," said Dr. Anna Skosireva, a psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente Northwest. "We're seeing more younger men experiencing isolation but not talking about it. Building connection can start small, whether that's reaching out to someone you trust or finding ways to engage with others regularly."

Kaiser Permanente Northwest encourages men to prioritize connection as part of their health by maintaining relationships, trying new social activities, and seeking support when needed. Raising awareness and reducing stigma around loneliness can help men lead healthier, more connected lives.

Interviews available:

Dr. Anna Skosireva, psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for interviews on Thursday, June 25 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.

Dr. Skosireva is available to discuss:

• Why loneliness is increasing among younger adult men
• The connection between loneliness, mental health, and chronic disease
• Common barriers that prevent men from seeking connection
• Practical ways to build and maintain social relationships
• When to seek support from a mental health professional

About Kaiser Permanente 

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org. 

INTERVIEWS: Playing Sports Safely In Summer Heat - 06/22/26

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 22, 2026) ~ Playing sports in the heat, whether at the professional level or in a weekend pickleball game, youth soccer match, or adult rec league, increases the risk of dehydration, overheating, and heat-related illness without proper preparation. As summer temperatures rise, Kaiser Permanente Northwest is offering expert guidance on how athletes and recreational players alike can stay safe while continuing to train and compete.

Heat-related illness sends thousands of people to emergency departments nationwide each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children, teens, older adults, and individuals not yet acclimated to warm-weather activity are at increased risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Experts also note that men and women may respond differently to heat during physical activity due to differences in sweating patterns, hydration needs, and thermoregulation.

"Playing sports in the heat requires planning at every level, from professional athletes in high-performance training to people joining a casual game after work," said Dr. Melissa Novak Ott, Sports Medicine Physician for Kaiser Permanente Northwest and the Chief Medical Officer for the Portland Thorns and Associate Team Physician for the Portland Fire. "Hydration, pacing and cooling breaks are essential for everyone, but women also need to understand that their bodies can respond differently to heat. Women may experience heat acclimation differently than men and can have changes in thermoregulation across the menstrual cycle and how they sweat. Recognizing those differences can help people stay safer and perform better in the heat."

Dr. Novak Ott recommends gradually building heat tolerance, avoiding the hottest parts of the day when possible, wearing light breathable clothing, and maintaining hydration before and during activity. "A simple rule is to start activity well hydrated, pay attention to urine color, and replace both fluids and electrolytes during prolonged exercise in the heat." She also notes that women may require longer acclimatization periods and may benefit from proactive cooling strategies such as ice slurries, cold towels, and electrolyte support during exertion.

Interviews available:

Dr. Melissa Novak Ott, Sports Medicine Physician for Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Chief Medical Officer for the Portland Thorns and Associate Team Physician for the Portland Fire, is available for interviews on Tuesday, June 23 from 10:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.

Dr. Novak Ott is available to discuss:

• Warning signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

• Safe participation in sports at both recreational and professional levels in summer heat

• Hydration and electrolyte strategies for training, games, and competition

• Why women may experience heat differently than men during exercise

• Cooling techniques including ice slurries, cold towels, and cooling breaks

• Heat safety for youth sports, adult recreation, and competitive athletics

• When to stop activity and seek medical attention

• How coaches, parents, and athletes can reduce heat-related risk

About Kaiser Permanente 

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.