Indigenous Resilience and Maternal Health Equity Center
Official title: Center for Indigenous Resilience, Culture, and Maternal Health Equity
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11136354 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Community-led programs to help American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native American mothers have safer pregnancies and healthier babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,432,650 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113173-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136354 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native American in the Oklahoma/Southern Plains region who are planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant, or within two years postpartum and willing to work with tribal health partners.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not Indigenous, live outside the partnering region, or whose health needs are unrelated to pregnancy and postpartum care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this Center's activities.
What this research studies
You would join a partnership of tribal health clinics, community leaders, and researchers in the Oklahoma/Southern Plains working together to understand why Indigenous mothers face higher rates of pregnancy complications and deaths. The team will look at causes like food insecurity, chronic stress from historical trauma, and loss of traditional birthing practices and then co-design culturally grounded supports. Activities include patient-centered outcomes work, pilot interventions before, during, and after pregnancy (through the child’s first two years), and training for local providers. Participation could involve sharing health information, joining local programs, or meeting with community groups to shape solutions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce maternal deaths and serious complications and improve long-term health for Indigenous mothers and their children.
How similar studies have gone: Culturally tailored, community-driven maternal programs have shown promise in improving outcomes, but Indigenous maternal mortality remains high and broader translation is still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shreffler, Karina M. — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Shreffler, Karina M.
Related research
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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.