Pre-pregnancy health and pregnancy outcomes in women Veterans
Examining Pre-Pregnancy Health and Maternal Outcomes among Women Veterans
This project looks at how women Veterans' health before pregnancy affects the risk of serious pregnancy complications and pregnancy-related death.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11201738 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a woman Veteran, this work uses VA medical records to see how chronic physical and mental health conditions before pregnancy relate to severe maternal illness and pregnancy-related deaths. The team will analyze differences by race, rural versus urban residence, and combinations of health risks to identify patterns that may raise risk. Researchers will build on pilot findings that suggest higher pregnancy-related death rates among VA maternity care users and will use existing VA data for these analyses. The goal is to find preventable risk factors so the VA can provide earlier care and support before and during pregnancy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women Veterans of reproductive age who receive or are eligible for VA care, especially those with chronic medical or mental health conditions, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Non-Veteran women, men, and people who do not receive care through the VA would not be expected to participate or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help the VA identify women at higher risk and guide earlier care to prevent severe pregnancy complications and deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Other research shows pre-pregnancy health affects maternal outcomes, but using VA data to quantify risks specifically among women Veterans is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quinn, Deirdre a — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Quinn, Deirdre a
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 below.