Improving maternal health care access for women in rural Louisiana.
Official title: RP2_Harville
Funded at Tulane University of Louisiana · NIH-11179559 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to improve maternal care for women in rural Louisiana by creating new ways to provide support from home, so they can get the help they need without having to travel far.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $210,176 |
| NIH project number | 3U54HD113159-02S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11179559 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women or new mothers living in rural Louisiana, particularly those from Black or underserved communities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in urban areas with adequate access to maternal health services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the critical lack of maternal care in rural Louisiana, particularly in areas known as 'maternity care deserts.' It aims to develop and implement innovative remote care models that prioritize community needs and contexts to enhance maternal health outcomes. The project will utilize programs like Ochsner’s Connected MOM, which involves at-home monitoring of blood pressure and weight, to identify health issues earlier and reduce the need for long travel to care sites. The research will be conducted in two phases, starting with community engagement to assess needs and build necessary infrastructure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce maternal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for women in underserved areas.
How similar studies have gone: Previous initiatives have shown success in improving maternal health outcomes through remote care models, although this specific approach is tailored to address unique community needs.
Where this research is happening
-
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harville, Emily Wheeler — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Harville, Emily Wheeler
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.