Environmental factors driving disparities in hypertensive pregnancy disorders and blood pressure over time
Official title: Innovative data science and geospatial methods to identify environmental drivers of disparities in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and blood pressure over time
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11423686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how everyday environmental factors like air pollution and temperature affect blood pressure changes and HDP disparities in pregnant people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $542,194 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL179555-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people or those planning to become pregnant who are receiving care in participating health systems and have available EHR data across pre-pregnancy, prenatal, and post-partum periods.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals outside the study regions or without linked environmental exposure data may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use electronic health records from several major US cities and link them with detailed environmental data to track blood pressure changes from before pregnancy through after delivery. The study will examine how exposures such as air pollutants, heat, and greenness relate to the risk and trajectory of hypertensive disorders during and after pregnancy. By focusing on diverse populations and repeated BP measurements, it aims to uncover modifiable environmental drivers of HDP disparities and related cardiovascular risks. The findings could inform public health strategies to reduce inequities and improve maternal and infant outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to targeted environmental and clinical interventions to reduce HDP disparities and improve long-term cardiovascular health for mothers.
How similar studies have gone: Past work suggests environmental exposures influence HDP risk, but this project extends analysis to BP trajectories and multiple cities with refined exposure data.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bravo, Mercedes Aurelia — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Bravo, Mercedes Aurelia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Electronic health record tools to optimize blood pressure for pregnancy-capable adults in primary care
A technology-based plan helps women with high blood pressure who could become pregnant manage their BP safely in primary care.
-
Creating a mobile health tool to help manage blood pressure during pregnancy
This study is testing a helpful mobile app called Moms@Home that supports pregnant women with high blood pressure by making it easier for them to monitor their blood pressure at home and get the guidance they need, all while using relatable stories and tips to encourage healthy habits for both moms and their babies.
-
How air pollution during pregnancy affects fetal growth over time
This study looks at how air pollution affects the growth of babies in the womb during pregnancy, using ultrasound images to track changes over time, and it aims to help expectant parents understand when their babies might be most at risk from pollution.
-
Actions to Decrease Disparities in Blood Pressure Control for Blacks
Aiming to help Black patients manage high blood pressure by using nurses, community health workers, and home monitoring in real-world clinics.
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia phenotypes with high blood pressure
A clinical study tests how CBT-I and the sleep drug trazodone work for adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, focusing on a specific sleep duration pattern.
-
Music-powered tools to boost blood pressure and stroke prevention for Nigerian youth and their older caregivers
This project uses popular music to help Nigerian youths and their older family members start and stick to blood pressure and stroke prevention habits.
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.