2025/2026 Plan

Our 2025/26 plan sets out the areas the AAPEC Committee will focus on in order to better achieve our goals. On On 16 September 2025, a new Committee was appointed by our membership to lead the organisation over the coming 12 months. Meet Our Team.

We have each come to our role as Committee members because of our commitment to supporting women who are diagnosed with or at risk of preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Our members have either had preeclampsia, been a partner, a sister or mother of someone diagnosed with preeclampsia, or have provided health care to women with preeclampsia. A common experience amongst AAPEC members has been the lack of appropriate support at the time of diagnosis, a sense of bewilderment at the diagnosis and the need for timely and ongoing support and information.

  1. We want to make sure that across Australia there is a readily available community of support for anyone with preeclampsia as well as for their partners, family, and friends
  2. We want to make sure information, and support can be easily accessed at all stages of pregnancy and in the years following diagnosis
  3. We want to make sure no woman or her family is left alone struggling to understand their diagnosis and their long-term health risks
  4. We want to continue to support research and improved clinical care of women diagnosed with preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders
  5. We invite all AAPEC Members to contact the Committee with ideas and skills

1. Our foundations remain relevant today

Australian Action on Preeclampsia Inc. (AAPEC) is a voluntary organisation set up to provide support and information to women and families who have experienced preeclampsia. Financial membership is open to anyone with an interest in preeclampsia. AAPEC has charitable fundraising status in Australia.

Our objectives are:

  • Support women and families who have been diagnosed with, or have experienced, preeclampsia
  • Inform the public and health professionals about the prevalence, nature, and risks of preeclampsia
  • Campaign for greater awareness of preeclampsia to improve detection, treatment, and care for those at risk
  • Promote and support research into its causes, screening techniques, improved clinical care, and long-term health outcomes

What we do:

  • Personal support through our Contact Us portal, where women, partners, and families can share their experiences and seek reassurance
  • Clear, reliable information about preeclampsia and its health impacts
    Online webinars for the community and for health professionals
  • Awareness events, including Walking Around Australia on World Preeclampsia Day, to help improve awareness
  • Regular newsletter to keep you up to date on AAPEC’s activities
  • Maintain the AAPEC social media platforms
  • Raise funds to support AAPEC’s objectives

    2. Our unique strengths

    • Our members include those with a lived experience of a diagnosis of preeclampsia and members with medical and midwifery expertise
    • We maintain our philanthropic status attracting a tax-deductible benefit to any donor
    • We have skills and experience in disseminating information through a variety of mediums
    • We are part of an international group of ‘sister organisations’ providing access to extensive networks and knowledge. These include UK Action on Preeclampsia, American Preeclampsia Foundation and NZ Action on Pre-eclampsia.
    • We are supported by internationally recognised leaders in the research of preeclampsia
    • We have a good social media framework using the mediums of our Website, Facebook, X and Instagram Accounts

    3. Six opportunities for renewal and growth

    Opportunity 1: Unmet Demand for Information

    The prevalence of preeclampsia in Australia means there is a continued need for information for women and their families. The experience of our members points to a need to improve the presence, timeliness, and ‘reach’ of information on preeclampsia to women planning a family, in the early weeks of pregnancy, at diagnosis and beyond diagnosis.

    Our ongoing goals:

    • Broaden our networks to assist in improved information dissemination and raising of awareness
    • Form new partnerships with existing organisations and groups relevant to our sector and target audience
    • Continue to create educational events e.g. Webinars and Podcasts

    Opportunity 2: Improving our social media infrastructure

    Ongoing improvement of our information products will give rise to the need to further adapt and improve the tools we currently use to disseminate information. Technical assistance to improve the on-line search algorithm will assist in improving access to women searching for online information. Our use of a wide range of social media platforms is currently active to reach a wider target audience, including Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube Channel.

    Opportunity 3: Improved tailoring and targeting of information and support

    The information requirements of women who experience preeclampsia change with life events. There is opportunity for the information AAPEC produces to be tailored to women and their families at all phases of their lives. Our members have identified five phases which have shaped the type of information and support they have needed.

    Life events that shape the scope of information required Information gatekeepers and scope of information

     
    Pre pregnancy / Early pregnancy

     

    		 Information gatekeepers

    Midwives, GPs, Obstetric Medicine Physicians

    Scope of Information:

    Pre-pregnancy health, prevention, prediction, symptoms, being prepared
    Diagnosis

     

    		 Information gatekeepers

    Obstetricians, Obstetric Medicine Physicians, midwives, GPs, ED doctors and nurses

    Scope of Information:

    How is the diagnosis made? Why did this happen? What happens next? Risks to me and my baby? How will I give Birth? Time in hospital? Support to my family?
    Birth and the first twelve months after diagnosis

     

    		 Information gatekeepers

    Midwives, Obstetricians, Obstetric medicine Physicians, GPs, Maternal Child Health Nurses, allied health care workers, parenting groups/services

    Scope of Information

    The experience of mothers, partners, family and friends, grief and loss. Isolation due to the birth experience, physical and emotional recovery, monitoring long term health risks
    Planning a subsequent pregnancy

     

    		 Information gatekeepers

    GPs, midwives, Obstetric Medicine Physicians, Maternal Child Health Nurses

    Scope of information

    Pre-pregnancy health check, discussion of risk, precautions, minimising risks, prevention
    Long term health Information gatekeepers

    Neonatologists, paediatricians, GPs, Obstetricians, Obstetric Medicine Physicians, Cardiologists, midwives, allied health clinicians

    Scope of information

    The long-term health risks for mother and child, reducing risks, monitoring health risks

    Opportunity 4: A National footprint for AAPEC

    Our Committee Members are currently from NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. We look forward to welcoming new Committee Members from other States and Territories.

    We have membership throughout Australia and to a network of research centres, health and medical teaching facilities and programs, all of which provide a platform for disseminating information and raising awareness on preeclampsia.

    Our ongoing goals:

    • Raise our profile in all States and Territories by forming partnerships in all jurisdictions with for example: training colleges and universities, hospitals and maternal health providers
    • Conduct regular national online webinars and educational sessions each year

    Opportunity 5: Counselling and support services

    There is currently no phone-based helpline on preeclampsia in Australia.

    Our ongoing goals:

    • Continue to use our existing method of communication using Contact Us on our website or Messenger on Facebook
    • Appoint appropriate Committee Members to personally reply to queries (based on the knowledge, expertise, experience and response required)
    • Informational support continues to be provided via the 'Learn More' tab on the website. This information is evidenced based and regularly updated

    Opportunity 6: Expand our income sources

    Our income is sourced by financial membership fees, donations, interest on term deposits and fundraising events. The long-term viability of AAPEC is based on this income stream.

    Income is used to support AAPEC’s core advocacy and education work, including:

    • Developing and distributing evidence-based educational materials
    • Providing information resources for women and families affected by preeclampsia
    • Maintaining and updating our website and social media platforms
    • Delivering newsletters and community communications
    • Hosting on-line educational webinars

    Our ongoing goals:

    • Campaign to increase national membership
    • Draw on our networks with hospitals, research centres and Universities