Examining access to reproductive healthcare and its impact on maternal and infant health
Official title: Reproductive Healthcare Deserts and Inequalities in Maternal and Infant Health
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-10867995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how easy or hard it is for women to get important reproductive healthcare services, like birth control and maternity care, in different parts of the U.S. from 2009 to 2021, to find out where access is really limited and how that affects the health of mothers and babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $276,622 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD115062-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10867995 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include women of reproductive age living in areas identified as reproductive healthcare deserts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in regions with adequate access to reproductive healthcare services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the availability of reproductive healthcare services, such as contraception and maternity care, at the local level across the United States. By creating a comprehensive dataset that spans from 2009 to 2021, the project aims to identify areas, termed 'reproductive healthcare deserts,' where access to these essential services is severely limited. The research will analyze how these disparities in access affect maternal and infant health outcomes, providing a clearer picture of the challenges faced by women in different communities. The findings will be based on a combination of data sources, including publicly funded clinics and health service accessibility metrics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to reproductive healthcare services for women, ultimately enhancing maternal and infant health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has highlighted disparities in healthcare access, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights into local healthcare inequalities.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sennott, Christie — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Sennott, Christie
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.