Helping postpartum women connect to primary care
Official title: Supporting Transitions to Primary care among Under-resourced, Postpartum women: The STEP-UP
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10637553 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help new moms who had pregnancy complications, like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, get the follow-up care they need by improving communication between their doctors and making it easier for them to access health services, especially for those in underserved communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $2,061,152 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL168832-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10637553 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postpartum women who have experienced gestational diabetes or hypertensive disorders and come from under-resourced backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not postpartum or those who have not experienced gestational diabetes or hypertensive disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve the transition of high-risk postpartum women, particularly those from under-resourced communities, to primary care services. It focuses on women who have experienced gestational diabetes or hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, which can lead to long-term health risks. The study will utilize a technology-enabled approach to facilitate better communication and coordination between obstetric and primary care providers. By addressing barriers such as health literacy and access, the research seeks to ensure these women receive the necessary follow-up care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve health outcomes for postpartum women by ensuring they receive timely and appropriate primary care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that technology-enabled care coordination can improve health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bailey, Stacy C — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Bailey, Stacy C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Connecting women with pregnancy high blood pressure to heart-health care after birth
This project looks at how health care systems help or block women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy from getting heart-health care after delivery.
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Understanding how to improve postpartum care for women with pregnancy-related high blood pressure
This study looks at the difficulties women encounter when moving from pregnancy care to regular doctor visits after having high blood pressure during pregnancy, and it aims to find better ways for doctors to help these women manage their heart health afterward.
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Improving postpartum care for people with chronic conditions
This study is looking to make it easier for new parents with ongoing health issues to get the follow-up care they need after having a baby, by helping them schedule appointments and providing supportive messages to keep them engaged in their health.
-
HEARTS hypertension and diabetes care in Guatemala
This grant tests how well the HEARTS primary care model works in Guatemala to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for patients.
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Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
-
HIV treatment and postpartum weight help after birth in South Africa
A small, patient-friendly study is testing a lay health worker–led program to support postpartum women living with HIV in staying on ART and managing weight.
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.