Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence

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Welcome to the Maryland Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence (MMHRCE)

The Maryland Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence (MMHRCE) is an initiative for trans-disciplinary research teams to conduct multi-layered novel research projects and to drastically reduce pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated maternal deaths and decrease SMM. MMHRCE will exist as a hub ...

Purpose and Goals Outlines the purpose and goals of the Center.
PURPOSE	To generate innovative approaches to preventable maternal mortality (MM), decrease severe maternal morbidity (SMM), and promote maternal health equity in partnership with communities that are most affected.
GOAL	For transdisciplinary research teams to conduct multi-layered novel research projects, drastically reduce pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated maternal deaths and decrease SMM. Studies can be interventional, i.e., testing novel interventions, effectiveness, optimization, etc., or observational, i.e., health services studies, natural experiments, or policy analyses, and assess maternal health outcomes.
TARGET	Use of an integrated multi-level approach encompassing structural, social, and biobehavioral research strategies to address multiple contributing factors that lead to adverse maternal health outcomes and health disparities. Significant contributing factors include: co-morbid conditions, i.e., hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, chronic stress, immune-mediated diseases, sleep disorders, substance use disorders, etc., structural and social determinants of health which include racism and healthcare system factors.

Purpose and Goals
Outlines the purpose and goals of the Center.

PURPOSE

To generate innovative approaches to

preventable maternal mortality (MM),
decrease severe maternal morbidity (SMM), and
promote maternal health equity in partnership with communities that are most affected.

GOAL

For transdisciplinary research teams to conduct multi-layered novel research projects, drastically reduce pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated maternal deaths and decrease SMM.

Studies can be interventional, i.e., testing novel interventions, effectiveness, optimization, etc., or observational, i.e., health services studies, natural experiments, or policy analyses, and assess maternal health outcomes.

TARGET

Use of an integrated multi-level approach encompassing structural, social, and biobehavioral research strategies to address multiple contributing factors that lead to adverse maternal health outcomes and health disparities. Significant contributing factors include:

co-morbid conditions, i.e., hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, chronic stress, immune-mediated diseases, sleep disorders, substance use disorders, etc.,
structural and social determinants of health which include racism and healthcare system factors.

The Overall Approach

Trans-disciplinary experts in maternal health in partnership with community organizations.
Multi-layered novel research projects have the potential to drastically reduce pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated maternal deaths and decrease SMM in the communities that are at the most risk.
The focus or theme of research addressed in the proposed projects and how they will reduce severe maternal morbidity and mortality and promote health equity for pregnant or postpartum individuals in their communities.
The research community includes the investigators and their community partners who will establish the Research Center.
The research community should be composed of funded investigators and community partners with well-defined connections to the focus or theme of the Center and the communities they serve.

With the following specific aims:

AIM 1: To undertake novel approaches in diagnosing and prognosis of MM and SMM in patients with obesity, placenta accreta, and opioid use disorders.
AIM 2: To tackle the most risk factors in MM and SMM in the unique local community and improve clinical care and management.
AIM 3: To establish effective interventions in targeting the most contributing factors in MM and SMM.