Improving Maternal Care for All Mothers

Reducing Maternal Health Disparities: Effects of Recent Health Workforce Policies

NIH-funded research Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. · NIH-11111355

This project looks at how health policies help bring more maternal care providers to communities that need them most, aiming to improve care for mothers across the country.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHarvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Canton, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11111355 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many communities in the U.S. face a serious shortage of doctors and nurses who specialize in maternal care, leading to higher rates of maternal health problems. Our project explores how government programs, like the National Health Service Corps, have expanded to place more healthcare professionals in these underserved areas. We want to understand if these efforts have successfully reduced the differences in maternal care and health outcomes between communities with and without enough providers. By studying these policies, we hope to find better ways to ensure all mothers have access to the care they need.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This policy-focused project aims to benefit all women of reproductive age, especially those living in communities with limited access to maternal healthcare providers.

Not a fit: Individual patients will not directly participate in or receive immediate medical benefit from this policy analysis.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could inform future policies to improve access to maternal care and reduce health disparities for pregnant individuals nationwide.

How similar studies have performed: This project is novel as no prior studies have specifically evaluated the impact of the National Health Service Corps expansion on disparities in maternal care and outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Canton, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.