PRISM Projects

Project title: Minimum wages and maternal health in the U.S. (R01HD110482)
Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Principal Investigators: Dr. Mark McGovern, Dr. Slawa Rokicki (MPIs)
Public Health Relevance Statement: This project investigates the effects of minimum wage increases in the U.S. on maternal health outcomes. It explores potential intermediary pathways through which minimum wage policies may affect maternal health and health care costs associated with pregnancy, as well as disparities in these outcomes. Findings provide causal evidence on the potential for economic policies – such as raising the minimum wage – to address the current maternal health crisis in the U.S.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/wgl_52CbOky-VdJijY28Eg/project-details/10567175

 

Project title: Impact of homelessness and housing services on maternal and infant health (R01HD118152)
Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Principal Investigators: Dr. Mark McGovern, Dr. Dan Treglia (MPIs)
Public Health Relevance Statement: This project investigates the effects of homelessness on maternal and infant health and assesses whether housing interventions can positively affect these outcomes and reduce inequities. We use linked administrative data and causal inference methods to explore how and when the experience of homelessness and the use of housing interventions affects health, health behaviors, and use of healthcare services during pregnancy and up to a year after birth. Findings will be shared with policymakers and health and homeless service system leaders and will be used to develop interventions that can mitigate the impacts of homelessness on maternal and infant health.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/BWGOgg0yD026VjiFsSvsQQ/project-details/11106748

 

Project title: Comparing Three Programs That Aim to Increase Access to Mental Health Care During and After Pregnancy (8968976)
Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Principal Investigators: Dr. Thomas I. Mackie, Dr. Nancy Byatt (MPIs)
PRISM Co-Investigators: Dr. Mark McGovern, Dr. Slawa Rokicki
Project summary: This study is comparing three programs that aim to improve access to mental health care for pregnant and postpartum women. In the United States, 1 in 7 mothers have perinatal depression at some point in their lives. While treatment is available, many women do not receive it, because perinatal care clinicians do not have specialized training or resources to refer them to care. Results from this study may help programs that aim to increase access to perinatal mental healthcare decide which program components to implement.
https://www.pcori.org/research-results/2020/comparing-three-programs-aim-increase-access-mental-health-care-during-and-after-pregnancy

 

Project title: Perinatal depression and emergency department visits in the postpartum period: a quasi-experimental analysis (iPHD#101)
Funder: New Jersey Integrated Population Health Data (iPHD) Project
Principal Investigators: Dr. Mark McGovern, Dr. Slawa Rokicki (MPIs)
Project summary: Perinatal depression is a significant public health problem with short- and long-term consequences for mothers and families. Providing timely access to mental health services is a key component of an effective health system and is associated with better health, lower healthcare utilization, and lower healthcare costs. Access to outpatient mental health care is limited in the U.S., especially among underserved communities experiencing structural disadvantage. Consequently, women often rely on the emergency department (ED) to access mental health services postpartum. ED use has been shown to increase costs, reduce capacity to provide care tailored for mental health, and lessen ability to intervene before patients’ needs become critical. Providing timely alternatives to the ED is therefore critical to improving the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of state programs. Yet, little is known about who is most at risk of postpartum ED use for mental health reasons, partly because suitable data are rarely made available. New Jersey’s policy of universal screening for perinatal depression and the iPHD initiative provide a unique opportunity to examine risk factors for and costs associated with postpartum ED use, using merged birth certificate and hospital discharge data. Using a quasi-experimental approach, we will examine demographic, social, and health determinants of ED use postpartum, with a particular focus on the impact of depression symptoms at delivery. This research will provide crucial data for informing policies in New Jersey that aim to optimize allocation of healthcare system resources to best provide perinatal women with the support they need and reduce health disparities.
https://iphd.rutgers.edu/research-projects/perinatal-depression-and-emergency-department-visits-postpartum-period-quasi