Understanding Pregnancy and Birth Health for Sexual Minority Women
Sexual orientation-related disparities in obstetrical and perinatal health
This project looks at how pregnancy and birth experiences might differ for women of various sexual orientations, aiming to improve health for all mothers and babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Canton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11025903 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that sexual minority women, including those with same-sex attractions or identities, sometimes face challenges in gynecological health, like barriers to care. However, we don't fully understand how their experiences with pregnancy and childbirth might be different. This project will use large, long-term national health datasets to gather information from different generations of women. By carefully looking at these records, we hope to identify specific health differences related to sexual orientation during pregnancy and around the time of birth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project uses existing national health data, so direct patient participation is not required, but the findings will be relevant to sexual minority women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy.
Not a fit: Patients not identifying as sexual minority women may not directly benefit from the specific findings related to disparities, though overall improvements in obstetrical care could have broader positive effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help healthcare providers better understand and address the unique needs of sexual minority women during pregnancy and childbirth, leading to more equitable and improved health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary findings from smaller datasets suggest significant disparities, indicating that this larger-scale data analysis is a crucial next step to confirm and quantify these differences.
Where this research is happening
Canton, UNITED STATES
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. — Canton, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Charlton, Brittany Michelle — Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC.
- Study coordinator: Charlton, Brittany Michelle
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 below.