Understanding how changes in reproductive policies affect fertility, mothers, and babies
Official title: The fertility, maternal health, and infant health consequences of reproductive policy change
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11176910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how recent changes in state policies about reproductive health might be influencing fertility, the health of mothers, and the health of infants across the United States.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $349,895 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD114292-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research uses existing health data and does not directly involve patient participation, but it focuses on outcomes relevant to pregnant individuals and new mothers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking direct medical intervention or clinical trial participation will not find a direct benefit from this data analysis project.
What this research studies
We are exploring how new state policies related to reproductive and pregnancy health may be impacting families. Our team will use existing health records, like birth certificates and hospital data, from 2016 through 2024 to see if there are changes in fertility rates, maternal health issues, and infant health outcomes. We will compare states with policy changes to those without, carefully considering other factors like the COVID-19 pandemic. This helps us understand if these policies are linked to shifts in who is giving birth or changes in health risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand the real-world effects of reproductive health policies, potentially informing future healthcare decisions and support for families.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific policy landscape is new, similar public health research methods have successfully identified impacts of policy changes on health outcomes in the past.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bell, Suzanne O'dea — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Bell, Suzanne O'dea
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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.