Implementing SDOH screening and referrals in the NICU to support fragile newborns
Official title: Implementing a Social Determinants of Health Screening and Referral Care Model in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11398100 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A NICU-based program to screen newborns and families for social needs and connect them to services that can improve health and development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $666,861 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD104772-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398100 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Families of newborns in the NICU, especially those with preterm infants and identified social needs.
✕Less likely to help
Caregivers and infants who do not have unmet social needs or who are not in NICU settings may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project adapts a proven social-determinants screening and referral approach from outpatient pediatrics to the NICU, aiming to identify basic needs such as housing and food that can affect a preterm infant’s growth and development. It will train NICU staff to screen families, link needs to referrals, and track whether these supports improve infant health and caregiver well-being. The study uses real-world NICU settings to test feasibility, acceptability, and potential health impacts of the referral model for vulnerable infants and families. Results could guide hospitals on integrating social needs support into neonatal care to promote equity and healthier developmental outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help ensure preterm infants receive timely social support that may improve growth and development outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous outpatient SDOH screening models have shown promise; this project tests adaptation for the NICU population.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parker, Margaret Graham Kemper — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Parker, Margaret Graham Kemper
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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.