Delta Mississippi Center of Excellence in Maternal Health
Funded at Jackson State University · NIH-11408695 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A center-led effort in the Mississippi Delta to reduce maternal mortality and severe pregnancy-related illness through community-based support and improved postpartum care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jackson State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,491,551 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113238-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408695 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are pregnant or postpartum individuals in the Mississippi Delta and surrounding rural Southeast areas who experience high risk of maternal complications and are connected to community health services.
✕Less likely to help
Populations outside the Delta or those not engaged with community health networks may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project creates the Jackson State University center to tackle high maternal mortality and morbidity in the rural Southeast, especially the Mississippi Delta. It will run two main efforts: a community health worker home-visiting program guided by input from patients and communities, and a multisector communication and health-literacy plan to build trust and encourage postpartum care. The center will partner with local communities to prioritize patient voices and real-world needs, while measuring the impact of these approaches on outcomes. Through these efforts, patients and families in the Delta could see earlier interventions, better support at home, and clearer information after birth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower maternal deaths and serious complications and improve postpartum engagement for women in the Delta region.
How similar studies have gone: Prior community-health-worker and health-literacy strategies have improved engagement and some health outcomes in diverse settings, though results vary by region.
Where this research is happening
-
Jackson State University
Jackson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaw, Mary D — Jackson State University
- Study coordinator: Shaw, Mary D
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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.