NIH challenges researchers to find first-time pregnancy risk factors

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will award $50,000 each to seven individuals or groups who design an effective method for analyzing a large data set of first-time pregnancies and identifying risk factors, such as hypertensive disorders, diabetes and infection, which can lead to adverse outcomes. An additional $10,000 will be awarded to the top five winners whose methods identify risk factors in disadvantaged populations. The Decoding Maternal Morbidity Data Challenge seeks to address maternal mortality and morbidity by focusing on its underlying causes, such as obesity, mental health issues and substance abuse disorders. Because maternal mortality and morbidity affect Black and Indigenous/Alaskan Native women at a much higher rate than other groups, applicants are encouraged to develop methods addressing the needs of these communities. (NIH news release, 7/1/21)