The Social Determinants of Health Screening and Referral Project

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, WORCESTER · Aug 29, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Social Determinants of Health Screening and Referral Project is a study aimed at understanding how social factors, like housing and job security, impact families with preterm infants. Many families face challenges that can affect their health and the health of their babies. This trial seeks to take a successful method of checking for these social needs and providing support, which has worked in outpatient settings, and apply it in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). By doing this, the study hopes to help mothers and their preterm infants by connecting them with resources that can improve their overall well-being.

To participate in this trial, mothers and their infants need to meet certain criteria. Eligible infants must be born before 34 weeks of pregnancy and have spent at least 14 days in the NICU. The mother should be able to speak and read either English or Spanish and plan to care for her baby at home in the U.S. for at least a year after leaving the hospital. The study is not yet recruiting participants, but if you qualify, you can expect to receive support based on your family's unique social needs, which can help you and your baby thrive after discharge from the NICU.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Infant gestational age \<34 weeks' gestation; singleton or multiple.
• • Infant hospitalized for at least 14 days of life (to allow for SDOH screening/referral and contact with resources if applicable).
• • Mother and infant are alive.
• • Mother speaks and reads English or Spanish.
• • Infant will be discharged home from the NICU (to allow for follow-up).
• • Mother will care for her infant(s) at home in the US for at least 12 months after discharge from the NICU.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Mothers or infants who die before anticipated infant discharge.
• • Infant discharged after 52 weeks postmenstrual age.