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About us

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Inequalities Challenge: Maternity Disparities Consortium brings together a diverse range of organisations with expertise in research, capacity building and working with people and communities to deliver a step change in maternity outcomes and developing future research leaders in this area of need.

We are the first of a series of NIHR Inequality challenge focused fundings calls with future topics being announced in due course.

Doctor presenting information to a woman and her child
A young Mother and her son visit the doctor together. The baby boy is seated on the exam table with his mother seated in front of him and making sure he does not fall. Their female doctor of Middle Eastern decent is seated in front of them and smiling as they talk.

Progressive Maternity research and capacity development 

Our vision is to embed equity in maternity care through inclusive, evidence-based research.

Recent evidence suggests that black women in the UK are almost three times more likely to die during pregnancy or up to six weeks after pregnancy compared to white women. Asian women are twice as likely to die during pregnancy or shortly after, compared to white women. This along with The Department for Health and Social Care prioritising maternity care and birth trauma support, makes tackling maternity inequalities a major priority.

The Consortium focuses on growing long-term research capacity and expertise, especially within underrepresented disciplines, professions and underserved communities; inspiring and supporting the next generation of researchers with the right skills mix to work across clinical, practice and research sectors.

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    Our academic leadership

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    Meet the Co-Leads and Directorate

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    Our Governance

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    Our partnerships and infrastructure

NIHR Inequalities Challenge: Maternity Disparities Consortium

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