JSU-Mississippi Delta Center of Excellence in Maternal Health

MISSION: To prevent maternal mortality, reduce severe morbidity, and promote health equity among postpartum women who reside in Mississippi Delta counties (Washington, Carroll, Bolivar, Humphreys), and Scott County, using community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches.

The BIG PICTURE

The center builds on several established projects and collaborations among public, academic, and community-based partners. The research projects and training program – developed through extensive meetings with all partners – are designed to provide viable solutions and successfully address maternal morbidity and mortality for women residing in the Mississippi Delta and the disparities within maternal healthcare.  

 

    • The first research project will develop and adapt an evidence-based community worker home visiting program that is grounded in extensive patient and community participation as well as partnerships with community organizations in healthcare, mental health, social work, and child/lactation support.  
    • The second research project will evaluate the effectiveness of a multilevel and multisectoral communication and health literacy strategy to increase trust and engagement in postpartum healthcare, through partnerships with community organizations in healthcare, economic opportunities, and health policy.  
    • A research training program for early-stage investigators will address the interpersonal and other factors that affect maternal outcomes, leveraging community partnerships with a consortium of academic and non-profit institutions supporting positive change in the Mississippi Delta. 
    • The community partnership/engagement component reflects the center’s commitment to strengthening relationships, building trust, understanding cultural contexts, and advancing respectful maternity care in the Mississippi Delta and beyond. 

AIMS

Aim 1 (Research Project 1)

Determine the effectiveness of an evidenced-based community health worker (CHW) home visiting program grounded in extensive patient and community participation.

Aim 1

This research project will determine the effectiveness of a multicomponent postpartum maternal support program – focused on physical well-being, social work, mental health, and infant care – to reduce severe maternal morbidity within populations experiencing the greatest maternal health inequities in Mississippi.

Aim 2 (Research Project 2)

Evaluate the effectiveness of a multilevel patient-clinical linkage intervention to increase trust and engagement in postpartum healthcare among women in the Mississippi Delta.  

Aim 2

Our strategy seeks to reduce structural barriers to healthcare engagement, improve providers’ patient-centered communication skills, and increase knowledge of postpartum health issues.

Aim 3 (Community Partners)

Establish meaningful and equal community partnerships throughout the research development process and training.

Aim 3

Our community partners each represent a node to a larger web of community networks, have proven histories of collaboration, and will ensure community member access to the planning, implementation, assessment, and dissemination of the research and training projects.

Aim 4 (Training)

Establish a training program for early-stage investigators (ESIs) and predoctoral students that addresses the interpersonal and structural factors that affect maternal outcomes. 

Aim 4

ESIs and Predoctoral students will be trained to utilize secondary data to investigate maternal health research topics and cultivate a research agenda that includes maternal health research. Trainees are paired with mentors, develop Individualized Professional Development plans (IPDs) to advance their research careers, produce research and scholarship products, and gain experience with CBPR and Implementation Science (IS).

PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE

The Jackson State University (JSU) – Mississippi Delta Research Center of Excellence for Maternal Health was established to address preventable maternal mortality, decrease severe maternal morbidity, and promote maternal health in partnership with the Mississippi Delta community. 

 

  • This research center will conduct two multi-layered research projects utilizing community health partners, inclusive of an extensive research training program for early-stage investigators, to address the interpersonal, policy, and systemic factors that affect maternal health and well-being in the state of Mississippi.

 

  • By building strong, lasting community partnerships throughout the process, this research center aims to address barriers to high-quality, culturally competent postpartum maternal care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the Mississippi Delta.
Why Do We Exist?
  • Maternal mortality in the United States is higher than in peer nations and has not decreased since 1990. Beyond mortality, severe maternal morbidity impacts far too many women. Not only are these high rates alarming, but notable racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities exist. 

 

  • These disparities are highly regional, with women living in the rural southeast part of the United States, including the Mississippi Delta, having the highest rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.

  • Unfortunately, these disparities have persisted despite numerous interventions and programs, necessitating an innovative multifaceted approach focused on community practice, building trust, and prioritizing patient voices. 

Therefore, the JSU- Mississippi Delta Research Center of Excellence for Maternal Health  was established, with the goal of addressing preventable maternal mortality, decreasing severe maternal morbidity, and promoting improvements in maternal health through partnership with the Mississippi Delta community.

The Collaborative (Partnering Institutions)

2023-Present

  • To achieve The Center’s aims, we have brought together experienced teams with diverse expertise and perspectives, combining knowledge and resources from multiple institutions and non-profit community-based organization:
    • Jackson State University/College of Health Sciences, 
    • Mississippi State Department of Health, 
    • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 
    • University of Mississippi Medical Center/Obstetrics and Gynecology Department 
    • Alcorn State University/School of Nursing
    • Community Partners 

Contact Us

MSDCOE Contact Form

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For more information or to partner with the MSDCoE, you may reach us at: 

 

Online

  • maternalhealthcenter@jsums.edu
  • Follow Us

Main Office

  • 601-979-1707
  • 601-979-2033

Principal Investigator

  • 601-979-3103