Exploring how telehealth can reduce severe maternal health issues and disparities.
Official title: The impact of and path forward for telehealth on reducing disparities in severe maternal morbidity: A community engaged mixed-methods study
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10774621 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how telehealth can help improve care for new moms, especially Black women, who face serious health challenges during and after pregnancy, and it aims to create helpful guidelines for using telehealth to make sure everyone gets the support they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $707,192 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD113685-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10774621 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals, especially those from Black populations or those experiencing severe maternal morbidity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not experience severe maternal health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of telehealth in addressing severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and related disparities, particularly among Black birthing individuals. It aims to analyze data from a national Medicaid claims database and conduct qualitative research in Philadelphia to understand how telehealth can improve access to care and patient outcomes. The study will develop guidelines for implementing telehealth effectively to enhance maternal health equity and reduce disparities in SMM. By focusing on both physical and mental health indicators, the research seeks to provide a comprehensive view of maternal health challenges during and after pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved maternal health outcomes and reduced disparities for birthing individuals, particularly in underserved communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that telehealth can improve access to care, but this specific approach to addressing maternal health disparities is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caniglia, Ellen Christina — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Caniglia, Ellen Christina
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.