Understanding how state rules affect alcohol use during pregnancy and baby health

Alcohol and pregnancy: benefits and harms of state-level policies

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11045670

This project looks at how different state policies impact alcohol use during pregnancy and the health of babies.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11045670 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project builds on previous work to understand how state policies, both those specifically for pregnancy and general alcohol laws, influence alcohol use during pregnancy. Researchers are finding that some policies meant to help actually lead to unintended harms, like lower birth weights or less prenatal care for babies. The goal is to identify which policies truly help reduce the risks associated with alcohol use during pregnancy, rather than causing new problems. We want to make sure that efforts to protect babies are truly effective and supportive for pregnant individuals.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant for pregnant individuals, new parents, and anyone interested in public health policies related to maternal and child health.

Not a fit: Patients will not directly participate in this policy analysis, so there is no direct individual benefit or harm from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help states create better policies that genuinely support healthy pregnancies and reduce harm to babies, rather than causing unintended negative consequences.

How similar studies have performed: This project is a continuation of a successful prior phase, the Drug-Alcohol Pregnancy Policy Study (D-APPS) Phase 1, which has already yielded important findings.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.