The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.
The grant aims to support innovative and multidisciplinary research focused on understanding and addressing maternal morbidity and mortality in the U.S. It particularly targets racial and ethnic minority, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and underserved rural populations, with an emphasis on exploring understudied healthcare factors. It forms part of the NIH IMPROVE Initiative, seeking to delve into the various factors affecting pregnancy-related health outcomes and to establish a solid evidence base for enhancing maternal care. This initiative places a significant focus on reducing health disparities and improving outcomes across diverse populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, women of varying ages, and people with disabilities.