Telehealth and Mental Health Care for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Impacts of Telehealth Policies on Disparities in Perinatal Behavioral Health Care Access and Outcomes
This research looks at how telehealth policies affect access to mental health care for pregnant and postpartum women, especially those who face challenges getting care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rand Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Monica, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190900 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many pregnant and postpartum women experience serious mental health conditions, with suicide being a leading cause of death during this time. Unfortunately, most women do not receive the mental health care they need, and some groups face even greater barriers. Telehealth offers a promising way to improve access to care by making it easier to attend appointments and overcome challenges like travel or provider shortages. This project explores how different telehealth policies might help or hinder access to mental health services for these women, aiming to understand if telehealth can reduce existing care gaps.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant to pregnant and postpartum women who experience behavioral health conditions, particularly those living in rural areas or with lower incomes who may face difficulties accessing traditional in-person care.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience perinatal behavioral health conditions or who already have easy access to in-person care may not directly benefit from this specific policy-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better telehealth policies that improve access to crucial mental health care for pregnant and postpartum women, potentially saving lives and improving well-being.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that telehealth can be as effective as in-person care for behavioral health, and some evidence suggests similar benefits for pregnant and postpartum women.
Where this research is happening
Santa Monica, United States
- Rand Corporation — Santa Monica, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Faherty, Laura Johnson — Rand Corporation
- Study coordinator: Faherty, Laura Johnson
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.