How climate change affects pregnancy through traditional food sources.
Official title: Climate Change Effects on Pregnancy via a Traditional Food
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-10988252 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how climate change affects the nutritional quality of wild Pacific salmon, which is an important food for pregnant Indigenous First Nations peoples, to better understand how these changes might impact their health and pregnancy outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $79,256 |
| NIH project number | 5F32MD019202-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10988252 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant Indigenous First Nations individuals who consume traditional foods, particularly wild Pacific salmon.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Indigenous or do not consume traditional foods may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of climate change on traditional food systems, specifically focusing on how it affects the nutritional quality of wild Pacific salmon, a key food source for Indigenous First Nations peoples during pregnancy. The study aims to understand the relationship between maternal diet, environmental changes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. By examining the consumption of Pacific salmon among pregnant individuals in the Pacific Northwest, the research seeks to fill a critical knowledge gap regarding nutrition and health disparities in Indigenous populations. The methodology includes analyzing environmental factors that influence salmon quality and assessing their implications for maternal health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved maternal health outcomes and reduced rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Indigenous communities.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically addressing this intersection of climate change, traditional diets, and pregnancy outcomes, studies have shown that maternal nutrition significantly impacts health, suggesting potential for meaningful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ricci, Contessa — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Ricci, Contessa
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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.