Improving postpartum care and reproductive health for women in the Mississippi Delta
Official title: JSU- Mississippi Delta Research Center of Excellence for Maternal Health
Funded at Jackson State University · NIH-10908735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make it easier for women, especially Black women in the Mississippi Delta, to get the healthcare they need after having a baby by finding and fixing the problems that keep them from getting care, like transportation and trust issues, so they can feel supported and healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jackson State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $824,710 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113238-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black women and their families living in the Mississippi Delta who are in the postpartum period.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the postpartum period or those living outside the Mississippi Delta may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing access to postpartum healthcare for women, particularly Black women, in the Mississippi Delta, where maternal mortality rates are alarmingly high. The project aims to identify and address barriers such as poverty, transportation issues, and distrust in healthcare providers that prevent women from engaging in necessary healthcare services. By implementing a multisectoral intervention, the research seeks to build trust and improve health literacy, ultimately encouraging more women to seek and receive postpartum care. The approach involves collaboration with community health advocates to ensure that the specific needs of families in this region are met.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates among women in the Mississippi Delta.
How similar studies have gone: Similar interventions aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in underserved communities have shown promise, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Jackson State University
Jackson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaw, Mary D — Jackson State University
- Study coordinator: Shaw, Mary D
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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.