Vaginal Microbiome and Social Factors in Preterm Birth among Hawaiʻi Women
Official title: Social Determinants and Vaginal Microbiome Effects on Preterm Birth in Hawaii
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11392491 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in Hawaiʻi women looks at how the vaginal microbiome and social factors relate to the risk of delivering a baby early.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $159,270 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM125508-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392491 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant women in Hawaiʻi, especially Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, who are at risk for preterm birth.
✕Less likely to help
Women not at risk for preterm birth or who do not participate in vaginal microbiome sampling may receive no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will profile the vaginal bacteria of pregnant women in Hawaiʻi to understand how microbial patterns relate to preterm birth. It also examines social determinants such as income, nutrition, healthcare access, and experiences of racism that may influence these microbial communities and birth outcomes. Researchers plan to generate data that could eventually support a simple test to help predict preterm birth risk. The work combines sequencing of bacterial DNA with analyses of social context to identify potential biomarkers and mechanisms. The aim is to inform prevention strategies and improve neonatal health in NHPI communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to a point-of-care test to predict preterm birth risk and guide early interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show associations between certain vaginal bacteria and preterm birth, supporting a potential for translational biomarkers.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Corrie — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Miller, Corrie
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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.