Interventions to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11403825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A NIH funded effort at Columbia University aims to reduce severe maternal illness and death by tackling social factors and other risks that affect moms during birth and after.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $476,800 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113172-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11403825 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who are pregnant or recently postpartum, especially in high-risk populations and communities served by state, county, or hospital systems, may benefit.
✕Less likely to help
Some communities or individuals without identifiable social risk factors or access barriers may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will look at how social and system-level factors at the state, county, and hospital levels influence severe maternal morbidity and mortality, and how costs relate to these outcomes. It uses a mixed-methods approach to measure risk factors, evaluate two potential programs ( Medicaid eligibility generosity and healthcare characteristics), and understand real experiences from patients and community partners. The team will explore how interventions might lessen harms and what mechanisms make solutions work in diverse communities. The work is designed to translate findings into practical strategies for hospitals and policymakers to improve maternal health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could inform policies and hospital practices that reduce severe maternal illness and deaths and lower costs for families and health systems.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown that addressing social risk factors can improve health outcomes, but evidence in maternal health and at multiple administrative levels is limited and ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Guohua — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Li, Guohua
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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.