I-Corps Proposal ML for CVD Diagnosis

Research to understand unmet needs in maternal health and equity.

Dr. Tendie Muzorewa, a postdoctoral fellow in the Patents2Products (P2P) program at the University of Memphis, was recently awarded a $50,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation-Corps grant. The award is to investigate how technology can be used to address the increasing rates of maternal deaths caused by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The proposed work involves engaging with patients, clinicians, and other stakeholders in cardiovascular maternal health to identify their unmet needs through interviews.

The 1-year award has kicked off with the goal of interviewing at least 100 nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, physicians and others involved in maternal healthcare in the next few months. This award is timely given the growing rates of U.S. maternal deaths, including several recent high-profile maternal deaths which highlight the fact that black and native women are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-associated complications than their white peers. Furthermore, this issue is of great local interest as Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee have some of the highest rates of maternity deaths nationally and also rank highly for maternity deserts – counties with little/no access to obstetric care or birthing centers.

This project supports ongoing research to facilitate improved screening and prevention of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy which are a leading cause of maternal deaths globally. The over-arching goal of this work is to assess clinician-identified gaps in the care of pregnant patients and to address these needs with technological innovation. This work is motivated by a desire to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce cardiovascular health disparities.

To participate in this research, or for more information on this award and/or research, contact Muzorewa at tenderano.muzorewa@memphis.edu.