Finding ways to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health care
Official title: Policy solutions for addressing structural racism in maternal health disparities
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10908630 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how unfair treatment in healthcare affects the health of moms from different racial and ethnic backgrounds during and after childbirth, and it aims to find ways to make sure all moms get the quality care they deserve.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | March 14, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $503,613 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113172-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908630 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds who may be at risk for severe maternal morbidity or mortality.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not identify as part of a racial or ethnic minority group may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve maternal health equity by investigating the impact of structural racism on severe maternal morbidity and mortality among racial and ethnic minority birthing individuals. It will utilize a mixed methods approach to assess how various factors, including Medicaid eligibility and healthcare workforce diversity, influence health outcomes. By analyzing data and conducting focus groups, the project seeks to identify effective policy interventions that can ensure equitable access to quality maternal health care for all. The ultimate goal is to inform policies that can reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for marginalized communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to significant improvements in maternal health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority populations.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of structural racism in health disparities is recognized, this research is among the few that empirically evaluates its impact on maternal health outcomes, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Guohua — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Li, Guohua
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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.