How minimum wage changes affect moms' health
Official title: Minimum wages and maternal health in the U.S.
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11290745 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether raising the minimum wage improves health for pregnant and recently postpartum people, especially those with low incomes and people of color.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $367,214 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110482-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290745 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who are pregnant or recently gave birth, particularly those working in low-wage jobs or living in states that change their minimum wage, are the most relevant population for this research.
✕Less likely to help
People with stable higher incomes, those not dependent on wages for household resources, or those whose pregnancy risks are unrelated to economic factors may be less likely to see direct benefits.
What this research studies
If you're pregnant or recently gave birth, this research looks at whether higher minimum wages lead to better health for moms and babies. Researchers will link state minimum wage changes to health records like hospital and birth data and compare outcomes such as severe maternal complications and pre-existing health conditions across states and over time. They will focus on low-wage workers and racial groups that have experienced poorer pregnancy outcomes to see if income changes narrow those gaps. Much of the work uses existing health and economic records rather than in-person visits, but the findings could influence policies affecting earnings and access to care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If higher minimum wages are tied to better maternal outcomes, policy changes could reduce pregnancy complications and narrow racial and income-related disparities in maternal health.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior studies link income-support programs (like tax credits) to improved birth outcomes, but the specific effects of minimum wage changes on severe maternal morbidity are less established.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgovern, Mark — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Mcgovern, Mark
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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.