Research Proposal Midwife in United States Chicago – Free Word Template Download with AI

In the United States, maternal health outcomes remain a critical public health concern, with stark racial and socioeconomic disparities disproportionately affecting communities in urban centers like Chicago. The city of Chicago faces significant challenges in maternal care access, particularly within underserved neighborhoods on the South and West Sides where Black and Hispanic women experience pregnancy-related mortality rates up to three times higher than their white counterparts (Chicago Department of Public Health, 2023). This research proposal addresses a pressing need: the integration and expansion of certified nurse-midwifery services as a vital strategy to improve maternal health equity in Chicago. As midwives provide evidence-based, patient-centered care emphasizing prevention and holistic support, their role is increasingly recognized as essential for reducing unnecessary interventions and improving birth outcomes. This Research Proposal investigates the feasibility, impact, and barriers to scaling midwifery services within the diverse healthcare landscape of United States Chicago.

Chicago's maternal health crisis is multifaceted. Despite having a high density of hospitals, access to culturally competent, low-intervention maternity care is severely limited in majority-minority communities. Barriers include: (1) a shortage of certified midwives (C.M.) within Chicago's public health system and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), particularly outside downtown; (2) inconsistent reimbursement policies under Illinois Medicaid that hinder midwifery practice expansion; and (3) persistent distrust of the medical system among communities of color, often stemming from historical abuses. Current data shows only 15% of Chicago's births are attended by midwives, significantly below national recommendations and far below rates in cities with robust midwifery integration (National Partnership for Women & Families, 2023). This gap directly contributes to higher rates of cesarean sections, preterm birth, and maternal morbidity among vulnerable populations. This Research Proposal seeks to quantify the potential impact of targeted midwifery expansion in Chicago and identify actionable pathways for implementation within the local healthcare infrastructure.

1. To assess current access points: Map existing midwifery services (hospital-based, freestanding birth centers, community clinics) across all Chicago neighborhoods using geographic information systems (GIS), identifying service deserts in high-need areas.
2. To evaluate patient outcomes and satisfaction: Conduct a 12-month comparative study analyzing clinical outcomes (e.g., c-section rates, breastfeeding initiation, postpartum depression screening) and patient experiences among low-income Medicaid beneficiaries receiving care from midwives versus obstetricians in Chicago FQHCs.
3. To identify systemic barriers: Perform qualitative interviews with 30 key stakeholders (midwives, hospital administrators, Medicaid representatives, community health workers) to document regulatory hurdles, funding limitations, and cultural competency challenges specific to implementing midwifery in United States Chicago.

This mixed-methods study will utilize a sequential explanatory design over 18 months:

• Phase 1 (Quantitative): Analyze secondary data from Illinois Medicaid claims (2020-2023) and Chicago Department of Public Health vital statistics to compare outcomes among Medicaid-enrolled women receiving midwifery care versus traditional OB care in Chicago, controlling for race, age, and comorbidities.
• Phase 2 (Qualitative): Conduct semi-structured interviews with the 30 stakeholders identified above. Transcripts will be analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring barriers and facilitators to midwifery integration.
• Phase 3 (Community Engagement): Partner with Chicago-based community organizations (e.g., Black Women for Wellness, Mujeres Unidas) to co-design a pilot expansion strategy targeting two underserved Chicago neighborhoods identified in Phase 1 as "service deserts."

Geographic analysis will prioritize areas designated as "Maternal Health Access Deserts" by the Cook County Maternal Mortality Review Committee. The study will adhere strictly to IRB protocols (University of Illinois at Chicago IRB #2024-1875), prioritizing confidentiality and community partnership.

The findings from this research will provide actionable evidence for policymakers, healthcare systems, and community leaders in United States Chicago. By focusing specifically on the city's unique context—its history of segregation, diverse immigrant populations, and evolving midwifery laws—the results will directly inform:

• Policy Recommendations: Evidence to advocate for Illinois Medicaid reimbursement parity for midwifery services at levels comparable to OB/GYN care.
• Healthcare System Integration: A replicable model for embedding certified nurse-midwives within existing Chicago FQHCs and community clinics, particularly in the South and West Sides.
• Community Trust Building: Strategies to train midwives in cultural humility and leverage trusted community health workers for outreach, addressing historical mistrust.

Prior research demonstrates that increasing midwifery access reduces c-section rates by 25-30% and improves patient satisfaction (American College of Nurse-Midwives, 2023). Scaling this model in Chicago has the potential to prevent hundreds of adverse outcomes annually, saving lives and reducing long-term healthcare costs. This Research Proposal directly responds to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 100-Day Action Plan for Health Equity, which prioritizes eliminating racial disparities in maternal care.

The total budget request is $285,000, covering personnel (research coordinator, data analyst), community engagement stipends ($15k), travel for stakeholder interviews within Chicago, and dissemination costs. This proposal leverages in-kind support from UIC's Center for Health Policy & Advocacy.

The integration of certified midwives into the core maternity care continuum is not merely an option but a necessity for achieving maternal health equity in United States Chicago. This comprehensive Research Proposal provides a clear, evidence-based roadmap to overcome existing barriers and expand access to high-quality, culturally grounded midwifery care in the city’s most vulnerable communities. By centering Chicago's specific demographic realities, healthcare infrastructure challenges, and community voices, this study moves beyond generic recommendations toward tangible solutions that can reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity. The results will empower Chicago policymakers and healthcare institutions to make data-driven investments in a proven model of care—ensuring every woman in our city receives the respectful, safe, and effective midwifery services she deserves. This research represents a critical step toward fulfilling Chicago's commitment to health justice for all mothers.