CORAL Center: Improving maternal mental health and birth outcomes
Official title: CORAL CENTER
Funded at Morehouse School of Medicine · NIH-11415768 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nationwide-quality program is partnering with communities to improve mental health and safety for pregnant and new mothers, starting in Georgia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Morehouse School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,674,485 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113292-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415768 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant and postpartum women, especially in Georgia, who are affected by anxiety, perinatal depression, or birth-related PTSD.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to pregnancy and postpartum care resources may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
The CORAL Center brings together Morehouse School of Medicine, Emory University, and local organizations to understand what affects maternal mental health and birth outcomes. It focuses on pregnant and postpartum women and aims to create practical, community-informed solutions. The project emphasizes partnerships with women and community organizations to turn findings into real-world actions in Georgia and beyond.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to better mental health support and safer childbirth for mothers.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows behavioral health factors strongly influence maternal outcomes; CORAL aims to translate that into actionable community strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
Morehouse School of Medicine
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hernandez, Natalie Dolores — Morehouse School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Hernandez, Natalie Dolores
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.