Improving pregnancy health for Black birthing people using digital tools
Official title: High reach, multi-level digital intervention for Pregnancy-Related and -Associated Morbidity and Mortality (PRAMM) Disparities
Funded at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · NIH-10908616 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful app called Pregnancy Checkup that aims to support pregnant people, especially non-Hispanic Black individuals in rural areas, by checking for health risks and connecting them with local services and personal support to improve their pregnancy experience and health outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $763,808 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113291-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908616 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include non-Hispanic Black pregnant individuals, particularly those living in rural areas with limited access to healthcare.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not identify as non-Hispanic Black may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to reduce pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality, particularly among non-Hispanic Black birthing individuals in rural areas. It utilizes a digital platform called Pregnancy Checkup, which offers screening for health risks, motivational support, and connections to local services. The project will enhance this app by addressing key risk factors at various levels, including individual and community support, and will provide users with direct access to Community Health Workers for personalized assistance. By leveraging technology, the initiative seeks to create a scalable and effective solution for improving maternal health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the health outcomes of pregnant individuals by providing tailored support and resources.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using digital interventions to improve maternal health outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ondersma, Steven J. — Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ondersma, Steven J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Training program to reduce pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated morbidity and mortality disparities
A multi-year training program helps scientists and trainees build skills to study and reduce disparities in pregnancy-related health outcomes.
-
Scale-up approach to reduce pregnancy-related harm and disparities
A national-scale plan to spread proven hospital and community care practices to reduce pregnancy-related harm and disparities, especially in outpatient and community settings.
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PRAMM: a patient-friendly digital program to reduce pregnancy-related morbidity
A digital program called PC-PRAMM uses a flexible app to screen pregnant people, share tailored guidance, and connect them to live help to reduce pregnancy-related complications.
-
Multilevel, community-centered plan to reduce pregnancy-related illness and death and close disparities
A large, real-world trial will test a coordinated set of community and healthcare changes to reduce pregnancy complications and death, with a focus on Black, Hispanic, and Medicaid populations.
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Pregnancy and Heart Health: Predicting and Preventing Pregnancy-Related Cardiovascular Problems
A research grant is developing advanced data tools to identify pregnant women at high risk of heart-related complications so clinicians can prevent maternal death.
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Expanding hospital and community care to reduce pregnancy-related illness, deaths, and racial gaps
This project is rolling out proven care bundles in hospitals and community clinics to help pregnant and postpartum people—especially Black birthing people—have fewer serious health problems and deaths.
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.