Why Maternal Health Matters
As a longstanding advocate for women across all stages of life, AMWA is committed to advancing maternal health, improving outcomes, and addressing the systemic inequities that put so many women at risk.
The United States continues to face an alarming maternal health crisis, with rising rates of maternal morbidity and mortality, stark racial and geographic disparities, and persistent gaps in access to care.
AMWA Partnership Campaigns
Maternal Health Awareness Day #123forMoms
AMWA partners with the Women’s Health Institute at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in their 123 for Women campaign, held each year on January 23. This campaign urges healthcare practitioners to 1-Stop, 2-Look, and 3-Listen in order to better recognize and address maternal health issues.
Mind the Gap
AMWA partners with Mind the Gap Collective Impact Initiative to address peri- and postpartum mental health. Organized by Postpartum Support International (PSI), this initiative aims to increase research, education, screening, and support services
Maternal Vaccinations
AMWA advocates for maternal vaccinations — including influenza, Tdap, COVID-19, and RSV by reinforcing the science and safety of maternal immunization and promoting strategies for communication. This work is especially critical as maternal vaccinations remain underutilized despite strong evidence of their efficacy.
Inclusion of Pregnant Women in Clinical Trials
For decades, pregnant women have been systematically excluded from clinical research—leaving critical gaps in data needed to guide safe and effective care. AMWA advocates for the inclusion of pregnant and lactating women in clinical trials, to shift the paradigm of “protection from research” to “protection through research.”
Black Maternal Health Week
AMWA participates annually raising awareness during in Black Maternal Health Week, a initiative founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance.
Maternal Sepsis Prevention
Awareness of Maternal Sepsis has been an area that AMWA has advocated for in our participation in events to address Sepsis for Women at the World Health Assembly and the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women side events.
AMWA’s Ongoing Commitment
Maternal health is central to AMWA’s mission of improving women’s health across the lifespan. Through partnerships, education, advocacy, and national campaigns, AMWA remains steadfast in fighting for a future where every individual—regardless of race, geography, or socioeconomic status—can experience a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Advancing Maternal and Infant Health
Addressing RSV Vaccination During Pregnancy
Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus (RSV), is a common respiratory virus that may cause serious infection, leading to hospitalization and even death, particularly in infants and older adults. As the landscape of RSV prevention evolves, the introduction of an RSV vaccine tailored to pregnant individuals offers an important opportunity to reduce infant morbidity associated with the virus.
This webinar provides essential guidance for the use of the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. It will cover the latest evidence-based recommendations from the Centers for Disease and Prevention, clinical implications, timing, and safety considerations to enhance physician awareness and its proper use in pregnant individuals.
Program Objectives:
- Review of clinical guidelines for maternal vaccination to protect infants from severe RSV disease.
- Gain awareness of when/who/how the RSV maternal vaccine should be administered and which RSV vaccine is appropriate for pregnant women.
- Recognize seasonal timing of RSV vaccine in the US and atypical seasonality in non-contiguous states and territories.
- Understand correct coding to ensure insurance reimbursement for RSV Vaccination in pregnant individuals.
- Offer clear instructions on obtaining the correct vaccination if your practice does not to stock the RSV vaccine.
About the Faculty:
Damali Campbell Oparaji, MD | Associate Professor of Medicine
Dr. Damali Campbell Oparaji is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Health at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She earned her medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine in Pennsylvania and completed her residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine at Jersey City Medical Center.. Her special interests include broadening women’s health education and literacy.
Giselle Bleecker, MBA, MPH| President, Medical Market Strategists, Inc.
Ms. Bleecker is an expert in coverage, coding, and reimbursement for medical products with extensive experience in vaccines, novel oncology agents, a wide range of biologics, agents for rare diseases, combination products, cell therapy, gene therapy, and small molecules Prior to founding Medical Market Strategists, Inc. Ms. Bleecker was a Senior Vice President with Covance; a Vice President with Heath Technology Associates, Inc.; and a Research Associate at Rockefeller University. She earned a MPH at Yale School of Public Health, and an MBA from Yale School of Management.
Supported by an educational grant from Pfizer