Exploring how ableism affects maternal health for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Official title: Identifying the impact of ableism on maternal health outcomes among Medicaid-enrolled women with IDD
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-10992752 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how discrimination affects women with intellectual and developmental disabilities during pregnancy and after having a baby, comparing their health and their babies' health to women without these disabilities, to find ways to make healthcare better for them, especially for those from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $665,844 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD116300-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10992752 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women aged 14 to 50 with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are enrolled in Medicaid and have given birth.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have intellectual and developmental disabilities or are not enrolled in Medicaid may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of ableism on women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) during pregnancy and after childbirth. It aims to compare health outcomes for these women and their infants with those of women without I/DD, focusing on their experiences within the Medicaid system. By analyzing national Medicaid claims data from 2016 to 2023, the study seeks to uncover disparities in healthcare access and service use, particularly for women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds who face higher maternal risks. The findings could help improve healthcare services for this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved maternal health outcomes and healthcare access for women with I/DD.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on ableism and maternal health for women with I/DD is relatively novel, similar research has shown that addressing healthcare disparities can lead to improved outcomes for marginalized populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shea, Lindsay Lawer — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Shea, Lindsay Lawer
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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.