The impact of minimum wage on maternal health in the U.S.
Official title: Minimum wages and maternal health in the U.S.
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11042727 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether raising the minimum wage to $15 can help improve the health of mothers and their children, especially for those who are struggling financially, by making it easier for them to access healthcare services.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $374,087 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110482-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042727 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include economically disadvantaged women of childbearing age, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority groups.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not economically disadvantaged or who do not fall within the childbearing age range may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how increasing the minimum wage could improve maternal health outcomes in the United States, particularly for economically disadvantaged women. It focuses on the relationship between economic policies, such as a proposed $15 federal minimum wage, and access to healthcare services for mothers and their children. By analyzing data on maternal morbidity and the socioeconomic factors affecting health, the study aims to understand if raising wages can reduce health disparities among different racial and economic groups. The research will also explore the broader implications of maternal health on families and society.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to policies that improve maternal health and reduce health disparities for women, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of linking economic policies to health outcomes is being explored, this specific investigation into minimum wage and maternal health is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgovern, Mark — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Mcgovern, Mark
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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.