Delivering HOPE: healthy food and grocery support during pregnancy
Official title: Delivering HOPE (Helping Women Optimize Prenatal Equity)
Run by University of Arkansas · NCT06814509 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether providing pregnant people with healthy food and grocery funds during pregnancy reduces excessive weight gain compared with enhanced usual care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 16 Years to 44 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 1440 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Arkansas Academic / other |
| Locations | 8 sites (Corning, Arkansas and 7 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 24, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2029 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | June 26, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06814509 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are pregnant people aged 16–44 at or before 18 weeks gestation who receive care at one of the participating clinics and speak English, Spanish, or Marshallese.
✕Probably not a fit
People beyond 18 weeks gestation, outside the age range, not receiving care at the participating clinics, or already food secure may be unlikely to gain additional benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a multi-site randomized controlled trial enrolling 1,440 pregnant people across three Arkansas community clinics who will be randomized about 1:1 to Delivering HOPE or enhanced standard of care. The enhanced standard of care arm receives standard nutritional and gestational weight gain counseling, WIC/SNAP enrollment assistance, and referrals to food resources, while the Delivering HOPE arm receives the same services plus cash/food support totaling $1,000–$3,000 during pregnancy depending on household size. The primary outcome is the proportion of participants who experience excessive gestational weight gain and outcomes will be compared between arms. Eligible participants are 16–44 years old, ≤18 weeks gestation, speak English, Spanish, or Marshallese, and can provide a valid email address.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could help more pregnant people avoid excessive weight gain and related pregnancy complications by improving access to healthy food.
How similar studies have gone: Smaller studies and programmatic efforts suggest food support and nutrition counseling can improve diet quality and some pregnancy outcomes, but large randomized trials specifically targeting excessive gestational weight gain with cash/food support are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 16-44 years * ≤18 weeks pregnant * Speak English, Spanish, or Marshallese * Valid email address
Where it's running
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1st Choice Healthcare
Corning, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
River Valley Primary Care Services
Lavaca, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
Olly Neal Community Health Center
Marianna, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
Boston Mountain Rural Health Center
Marshall, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
Mainline Health Systems
Monticello, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
Community Clinic
Springdale, Arkansas, United States Recruiting
Show 2 more locations
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East Arkansas Family Health Center
West Memphis, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
Jefferson Comprehensive Care System
Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States Withdrawn
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Pearl McElfish, PhD — University of Arkansas
- Study coordinator: Brett Rowland
- Email: mbrowland@uams.edu
- Phone: 479-713-8000
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.