Center for Indigenous Resilience, Culture, and Maternal Health for Indigenous Mothers
Official title: Center for Indigenous Resilience, Culture, and Maternal Health (CIRCLE)
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11401789 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A national study helps Indigenous mothers in Oklahoma and the Southern Plains by partnering with communities to improve preconception, prenatal, and postpartum care to reduce maternal mortality and illness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,287,268 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113173-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401789 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Indigenous mothers who self-identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native American in Oklahoma and the Southern Plains who may benefit from improved maternal health support.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the target Indigenous communities or those not connected to maternal health services may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
CIRCLE brings together researchers and tribal partners to study why Indigenous mothers experience higher maternal mortality and morbidity and to translate findings into real-world care. The effort uses community engagement, culturally informed practices, and translational science across preconception to two years after birth. The center aims to build an interdisciplinary team, strengthen partnerships with tribal health programs, and develop patient-centered interventions. Results could inform better care pathways that respect culture, traditions, and local resources. The work will occur in collaboration with Oklahoma/Southern Plains communities to apply evidence to practice.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to safer pregnancies and healthier families in Indigenous communities by improving care before, during, and after pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that culturally tailored, community-engaged approaches can improve maternal health outcomes in Indigenous populations, but translational results in this region are still developing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shreffler, Karina M. — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Shreffler, Karina M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Indigenous Resilience and Maternal Health Equity Center
Community-led programs to help American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native American mothers have safer pregnancies and healthier babies.
-
Improving maternal health for Indigenous mothers
This study is looking at ways to improve the health and safety of Indigenous mothers during pregnancy and after childbirth by understanding the challenges they face and working together with their communities to create better care solutions.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
-
Non-invasive, continuous blood pressure monitoring for prenatal maternal health
A wearable device from PyrAmes uses comfortable, non-invasive sensors and smart software to constantly monitor a pregnant person’s blood pressure and heart health so doctors can protect both mom and baby.
-
Understanding how neurons resist and recover from toxic chemicals
Researchers are studying how brain cells fight back against harmful chemicals to help people survive exposure.
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.