Addressing social factors that drive gaps in maternal health in Southeastern Wisconsin
Official title: Addressing Key Social Contributors to Disparities in MatErNal MorbiDity in Southeastern Wisconsin - ASCEND WI Center
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11399902 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A hospital-based program in Milwaukee aims to reduce severe maternal complications by tackling housing instability, medical mistrust, and gaps in postpartum preventive care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,975,021 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113408-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399902 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant or postpartum individuals living in Southeastern Wisconsin who face housing instability, distrust of medical systems, or barriers to accessing preventive postpartum care.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure to the targeted social risk factors or who do not receive the intervention components.
What this research studies
This project partners with local communities to understand and address social factors that worsen maternal health outcomes in Southeastern Wisconsin. Two interconnected research efforts involve housing partners and community-based doulas to support women before, during, and after pregnancy. The work is designed with community input to ensure strategies fit real-world needs and improve access to care. By focusing on social determinants, the program seeks to lessen racial disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the plan could guide more equitable maternal care and reduce severe complications for mothers in the region.
How similar studies have gone: Similar community-engaged efforts have shown potential to improve maternal health access and outcomes in urban settings, though results vary by context.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palatnik, Anna — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Palatnik, Anna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.