The impact of federal housing assistance on birth outcomes in the U.S.
Official title: Federal Housing Assistance and Birth Outcomes in the United States
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10953423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how help with housing can improve the health of babies, especially for families with low incomes, by seeing if better living conditions can lead to fewer premature births and healthier weights at birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 12, 2024 |
| Project end | August 11, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD116074-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10953423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women living in low-income households who may be experiencing housing insecurity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have stable housing conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how federal housing assistance affects birth outcomes, particularly focusing on issues like prematurity and low birth weight. It examines the relationship between housing stability and the health of mothers and their newborns, especially in low-income households. By analyzing data on housing assistance and birth records, the study aims to identify how improving housing conditions can lead to better health outcomes for infants. The research seeks to understand the social and environmental factors that contribute to disparities in birth outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved policies that enhance housing stability for pregnant women, ultimately resulting in healthier birth outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown a correlation between housing stability and improved health outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Kyla — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Kyla
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.