How climate change affects the health of pregnant women in the South.
Climate Change Impacts on Maternal Health in a Southern Birth Cohort: A Causal Analysis
This study looks at how climate change affects the health of pregnant Black women in the Southern U.S., aiming to understand how environmental challenges during pregnancy can lead to serious health issues during childbirth, with the goal of helping improve care for those at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10689015 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of climate change on maternal health, particularly focusing on Black women in the Southern United States. It aims to understand how environmental stressors during pregnancy contribute to severe maternal morbidity, which includes life-threatening complications during labor and delivery. By analyzing a retrospective birth cohort, the study seeks to identify the causal relationships between climate-related factors and pregnancy risks, addressing a significant gap in current maternal health research. The findings could help inform public health strategies and interventions to protect vulnerable populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women, particularly those who identify as Black and reside in Southern regions of the United States.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or do not identify as Black may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved maternal health outcomes and targeted interventions for pregnant women affected by climate change.
How similar studies have performed: While the intersection of climate change and maternal health is an emerging field, previous studies have shown significant health disparities among pregnant women, indicating potential for impactful findings in this area.
Where this research is happening
Raleigh, United States
- North Carolina State University Raleigh — Raleigh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Runkle, Jennifer D. — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Runkle, Jennifer D.
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 below.