Investigating how racial discrimination and vitamin D levels affect preterm birth in Black women
Official title: Genomic signatures of inflammation: Pathways of racial discrimination, depressive symptoms, Vitamin D status with preterm birth among Black women
Funded at University of Texas Arlington · NIH-11228745 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how experiences of racial discrimination, feelings of depression, and low vitamin D levels might affect the risk of preterm birth in Black women, by examining blood samples to find out how these factors work together during pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Arlington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Arlington, United States) |
| Project start | May 14, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $102,265 |
| NIH project number | 7K23MD016431-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11228745 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant Black women who may be experiencing racial discrimination, depressive symptoms, or vitamin D deficiency.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Black or who are not currently pregnant may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the connections between racial discrimination, depressive symptoms, and vitamin D deficiency in relation to preterm birth among Black women. By analyzing blood samples from pregnant Black women, the study aims to identify specific gene expression patterns that may link these psychosocial factors to increased inflammation and the risk of preterm birth. The research utilizes data from a cohort of 168 participants to explore how these factors interact and contribute to health outcomes during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions to reduce preterm birth rates among Black women.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific combination of factors being studied is novel, previous research has shown that psychosocial stressors and vitamin D levels can impact pregnancy outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Arlington
Arlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woo, Jennifer — University of Texas Arlington
- Study coordinator: Woo, Jennifer
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Screening and treatment of Chlamydia infection in pregnancy to help prevent preterm birth
This grant studies whether screening pregnant people for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating those who are positive can reduce the risk of preterm birth.
-
Xylitol to Prevent Periodontal Disease and Preterm Birth in Pregnancy and Early Childhood
A safe, inexpensive chewable gum approach using xylitol is tested to help pregnant people reduce gum disease and lower the chance of preterm birth and related child health problems.
-
Screening and treatment for Chlamydia infection to help prevent preterm birth
A study in pregnant people will test whether screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating it during pregnancy can reduce the risk of babies being born too early.
-
IL-9 Signaling and Immune-Driven Preterm Birth
This NIH grant supports training a physician-scientist to lead a new lab studying how immune signals, especially IL-9, affect preterm birth.
-
Predicting Preterm Birth with Longitudinal Multi-Omics Data
A new, patient-friendly approach uses time-aware omics data from pregnancy to better predict preterm birth and uncover underlying biology.
-
Skeletal health after preterm birth in adults
Researchers will study why people born prematurely have weaker bones and fractures, starting in infancy and following into adulthood.
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.