Report

This 2024 vignette provides examples of how a range of OS-PCORTF cross-agency projects are working to improve maternal health by 1)Reducing Preventable Pregnancy-Related Deaths and Improving Maternity Care 2) Studying Substance Use Treatment Outcomes for Pregnant Women 3) Representing all American Mothers and Children in Research Data

This report is to serve as a data source guide that helps policymakers and researchers understand the current data infrastructure landscape for SCD-focused health outcomes research. Specifically, the goals are to identify existing SCD data sources and data dashboards as well as key considerations to enhance data collection and use.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) led the Multistate EMS and Medicaid Dataset (MEMD): A Linked Dataset for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research project which received funding in 2021 by the Office of the Secretary of HHS’s Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund.

Improving maternal health in the U.S. requires strengthening care and support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Doula services have shown promise in improving maternal and infant outcomes, yet more research is needed to understand these impacts.

Recent disruptions in medical product supply chains have highlighted the need for stronger, more coordinated approaches to ensuring reliable access to medical products.

This study examines the use of medical services and long-term services and supports by the population over age 65 over time.

Patient advocacy organizations (PAOs) play a key role in medical product development. Many PAOs raise money to fund medical product development activities – such as basic science research, preclinical research, and clinical trials - for their condition of focus, whereas others fund or develop resources such as biobanks or patient registries to support the research community.

There is ongoing interest in understanding ways to reduce drug prices and improve patient access to prescription drugs in the U.S. The estimated savings to the U.S. healthcare system from the use of biosimilars are significant.

The Fiscal Year (FY) HHS 2026 Evaluation plan includes four (4) evaluations reflecting evidence-building activities in different Operating and Staff Divisions across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The selected evaluations highlight activities that will generate actionable evidence in FY 2026 on priority topics.

To help patients make informed choices about their care, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is improving the quality and accessibility of data needed to determine which treatments and care options work best.