ELEVATE Center: Reducing maternal morbidity from substance use in Utah
Official title: ELEVATE Center: Reduction of Maternal Morbidity from Substance Use Disorder in Utah
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11393765 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nationwide center in Utah is testing how to improve care for pregnant and postpartum people with substance use disorders to reduce maternal illness and death.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,319,215 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113169-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393765 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant or postpartum individuals with substance use disorders, especially those in rural areas or who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without substance use disorders or those not engaged in perinatal care may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports a center of excellence that brings obstetrics, addiction care, simulation training, and community engagement together to strengthen perinatal care for women with substance use disorders. It includes two main projects: a culturally tailored perinatal clinic for Native mothers and a modular, simulation-based learning program for healthcare teams to improve interprofessional care. Over seven years, the work plans to expand across Utah and share learnings nationally, with ongoing implementation and dissemination. The effort emphasizes reducing stigma, addressing disparities, and leveraging existing health system infrastructure to reach more patients. Since it centers on real patients and clinics, it aims to translate evidence into practical maternity care improvements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower maternal morbidity and improve outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous programs using integrated, culturally tailored perinatal care and simulation-based training have shown improvements in care processes and outcomes in related settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Metz, Torri D — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Metz, Torri 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.