The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has unveiled plans to designate $24 million as initial-year funding to launch a series of Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence. In a recent statement released by the NIH, these grants are anticipated to span seven years and potentially reach up to $168 million, subject to funding availability.
These grants are a pivotal component of the NIH’s Initiative for Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE), a venture initiated in 2019 to combat the elevated rates of pregnancy-related complications and fatalities within the United States.
In comparison to other high-income nations, the U.S. contends with a disproportionate number of maternal deaths, tallying over 1,200 such fatalities in 2021. Furthermore, tens of thousands of additional Americans confront severe pregnancy-related complications annually, heightening the risk of future health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and mental health disorders. The NIH underscores that stark disparities in these maternal health consequences are influenced by factors such as racial and ethnic heritage, age, educational attainment, socioeconomic status, and geographical region.
“The scale and persistence of maternal health disparities in the United States underscore the imperative for research aimed at identifying evidence-based remedies to foster health parity and enhance outcomes across the nation,” stated Dr. Diana W. Bianchi, Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the NIH. Dr. Bianchi expressed this in the official announcement. “By collaborating with community partners and other stakeholders, the Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence will produce crucial scientific insights to steer clinical practices and diminish health inequalities during and post-pregnancy.”
The centers of excellence will encompass a total of 10 research institutions, in addition to a hub specializing in data innovation and coordination, as well as a hub for implementation science. In concert, these establishments are anticipated to embark on investigations into biological, behavioral, environmental, sociocultural, and structural aspects that influence pregnancy-related complications and fatalities. Moreover, they will concentrate on enhancing comprehension of the disparities linked to maternal mortality and morbidity.
These centers will establish alliances with community collaborators, encompassing public health agencies, community health centers, and faith-based organizations. Furthermore, they will deliver education and professional growth opportunities for maternal health researchers, including individuals hailing from backgrounds that are underrepresented within the biomedical research workforce.
