Women's and Maternal Health
Workshop
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Chaquetta Johnson, DNP, MPH, APRN, WHNP-BC
Deputy Director, Operations; Louisiana STD/HIV Program
Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health
New Orleans, Louisiana
Monica Munoz, PHN, RN, MPH
Nurse Manager
Division of HIV and STD Programs, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Tarzana, California
Jocelyn Soriano, RN, BSN, PHN
Public Health Nursing Supervisor
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health/Nurse-Family Partnership
Los Angeles, California
Amanda Dennison, MPH
Director, Programs & Partnerships
National Coalition of STD Directors
Washington, District of Columbia
During 2012–2017, cases of congenital syphilis (CS) increased by 176%—from 334 to 918—reaching a 20-year high. The CS rate among non-Hispanic Black mothers is 6 times the rate among non-Hispanic White mothers. Up to 40% of infants born to women with untreated syphilis may be stillborn or die as a newborn. Surviving infants may have bone abnormalities, blindness, or deafness. CS is preventable with timely testing and treatment of pregnant women. Given Title V goals to ensure access to prenatal care for women and to aid in the reduction of infant mortality, MCH programs make a natural partner in CS prevention. STD/MCH partnerships are critical in two areas: 1) multi-disciplinary FIMR-like review boards to identify missed CS prevention opportunities; and 2) linkage of pregnant women with syphilis to case management and home visitation programs. Presenters will share practices and lessons related to STD/MCH collaboration in these areas.