Dr. Monica Mallampalli is a transformative figure in women's health, renowned for her work as a biomedical scientist, science policy expert, and advocate. With a background that spans bench research to policy and advocacy, she has dedicated her career to bridging knowledge gaps in women's health. Currently, she serves as the CEO of the Alliance for Sleep Apnea Partners, where she focuses on raising awareness about sleep health disparities affecting women.

In this episode, Dr. Mallampalli shares her compelling journey from being a bench scientist to becoming a passionate advocate for women's health. Her personal experience with sleep apnea, which was initially overlooked despite her scientific background, has fueled her mission to empower women to take charge of their health. Dr. Mallampalli recounts how her mother's struggles with chronic health conditions in India inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare. She highlights the critical need to move beyond the traditional focus on reproductive health, emphasizing that women's health encompasses everything from brain health to cardiovascular health.

Dr. Mallampalli's story is a testament to the challenges women face in getting proper healthcare. She notes that until 1993, women were not included in biomedical research, leading to significant gaps in understanding their health needs. 

Her own journey with sleep apnea, marked by symptoms like breathing difficulties and seizures, was initially misdiagnosed as hormonal issues. It wasn't until she attended a sleep conference that she realized she had sleep apnea, a diagnosis that changed her life.

Through her work at the Alliance for Sleep Apnea Partners, Dr. Mallampalli advocates for self-advocacy and proper diagnosis, emphasizing that sleep disorders can masquerade as anxiety or depression in women. She encourages women to seek diagnosis and treatment, providing tools and resources to help them navigate the healthcare system effectively. Her message is clear: women must prioritize their health, as their well-being impacts not just themselves but their families and communities.

Want to learn more? Here is a link to her published work and to free resources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4089020/pdf/jwh.2014.4816.pdf

https://www.apneapartners.org/free-resources