Investigating how the COVID-19 pandemic affected birth rates across different groups in the U.S.
Official title: Beyond Boom and Bust: Heterogeneous Fertility Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Funded at University of Colorado · NIH-10831952 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected birth rates in the U.S., especially for different age groups, races, and income levels, to help us understand how family planning has changed during this time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $78,202 |
| NIH project number | 5R03HD110815-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10831952 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals or families who have experienced changes in their reproductive plans or fertility during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been affected by the pandemic in terms of their reproductive choices or those who are not within the childbearing age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility rates in the U.S., focusing on how these effects vary by factors such as age, race, ethnicity, and household income. By utilizing a unique dataset created in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau, the study aims to analyze individual-level longitudinal data to understand the changes in fertility patterns during the pandemic. The research will link various administrative data sources to provide a comprehensive view of how the pandemic has influenced family planning and birth rates across different demographics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide valuable insights into how public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic affect reproductive decisions and fertility trends, informing future family planning services and policies.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on fertility trends, this research is novel in its approach to analyze the specific heterogeneous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic using a new dataset.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado
Boulder, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Root, Leslie — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Root, Leslie
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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.