Understanding how racism affects preterm birth rates
Official title: Epigenomic Pathways from Racism to Preterm Birth
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11089583 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how experiences of racism might affect the health of pregnant Black women and lead to early births, with the hope of finding ways to provide better care and support for those at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 14, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $396,835 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110429-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089583 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are non-Hispanic Black women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not identify as non-Hispanic Black may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the link between racism and preterm birth, particularly focusing on non-Hispanic Black women who are disproportionately affected. By examining epigenetic changes, the study aims to uncover how experiences of discrimination may influence gene expression and contribute to adverse birth outcomes. Utilizing a large cohort of pregnant women, the research will analyze existing data, including maternal DNA and reported experiences of discrimination, to identify high-risk individuals for better prenatal care. The goal is to enhance understanding of the biological mechanisms behind preterm birth and improve prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prenatal care and targeted interventions for at-risk women, ultimately reducing preterm birth rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the link between racism and health outcomes has been explored, this specific approach using epigenomics in a diverse cohort is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barcelona, Veronica — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Barcelona, Veronica
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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.