Investigating maternal and infant mortality among incarcerated women during and after pregnancy

Maternal and Infant Mortality among Women Incarcerated During the Perinatal Period: Understanding the Impact of Healthcare and Correctional System Factors

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11105080

This study is looking at how being in prison affects the health of pregnant women and their babies, especially focusing on issues like pregnancy-related deaths and stillbirths, to help improve healthcare for these women and their infants.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11105080 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to understand the impact of incarceration on maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly focusing on women who are pregnant or have recently given birth while incarcerated. It will analyze data to identify the incidence and causes of pregnancy-related deaths, stillbirths, and infant mortality in this population. By examining the healthcare and correctional system factors that contribute to these outcomes, the study seeks to highlight disparities and gaps in care. The findings could inform public health strategies and correctional health policies to improve maternal and infant health for incarcerated women.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women or new mothers who are currently incarcerated or have been incarcerated within the past year.

Not a fit: Patients who are not incarcerated or who have not been pregnant in the past year may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healthcare policies and practices that reduce maternal and infant mortality rates among incarcerated women.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on incarcerated women during the perinatal period is novel, there is existing research on maternal mortality and incarceration that highlights significant health disparities.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.