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Arkansas researchers have secured a $17.5 million grant to investigate methods for preventing excessive weight gain in pregnant women. This funding is part of a larger $80.5 million allocation from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to support research aimed at improving maternal health.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Community Health Centers of Arkansas will be the recipients of this grant. The study in Arkansas will compare two approaches to preventing excessive weight gain in pregnant women. One group of women will receive enhanced standard care, including nutritional counseling, assistance with food programs, and referrals to other support services. The other group, participating in the Delivering HOPE study, will receive the same care as well as the delivery of healthy food to their homes.
Dr. Pearl McElfish, the director of community health and research at UAMS, highlighted the importance of the research, stating that it will help answer the question of whether providing healthy foods during pregnancy reduces the proportion of women who experience excess gestational weight gain and associated complications.
The need for such research is underscored by troubling statistics in Arkansas, such as the state’s high maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate. Arkansas also has the second-highest prevalence of overweight or obese women in the country.
Excessive gestational weight gain can lead to health complications for both the mother and the child, including delivery complications and an increased risk of obesity. Dr. Lanita White, the CEO of Community Health Centers of Arkansas, emphasized the heightened risk for women who are low income, rural, and food insecure.
The study will involve enrolling 14,040 women, with a focus on minority and rural populations. Additionally, the grant will support three other studies, including research on high blood pressure during pregnancy and mood and anxiety disorders affecting pregnant and postpartum women.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, based in Washington, D.C., was established to fund and evaluate research aimed at improving healthcare decisions. Since its inception, the institute has awarded over $3 billion to fund nearly 2,000 research and related projects.
This substantial grant will enable Arkansas researchers to address critical maternal health issues, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for pregnant women and their children.
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