Pregnancy and Postpartum Hypertension Control Initiative
This grant aims to expand self-measured blood pressure monitoring during pregnancy and postpartum, especially in underserved areas, to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce hypertension complications.
Funder: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH)
Due Dates: July 16, 2025 (Application Deadline)
Funding Amounts: Awards up to $550,000 per year for up to 24 months (total up to $1.1 million)
Summary: Funding to implement and scale self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP) during pregnancy and postpartum, focusing on underserved and rural communities to improve hypertension detection and maternal health outcomes.
Key Information: Projects must be fully implemented within 6 months and include ongoing evaluation; continuation funding requires satisfactory progress and stewardship.
Description
The Office on Women's Health (OWH), under the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), is offering funding to support an implementation and scaling project aimed at expanding self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring during pregnancy and postpartum. This initiative builds on prior foundational efforts such as the HHS Hypertension Innovator Award, CDC’s Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Package, and the National Hypertension Control Initiative.
SMBP is defined as the regular measurement of blood pressure by patients at home or other non-clinical settings with clinical support. It is recognized as a best practice by national and international guidelines for detecting and controlling hypertension (HTN) in adults, including postpartum women, supported by evidence from AHRQ’s systematic reviews.
The primary goal is to accelerate nationwide adoption of SMBP during pregnancy and postpartum, with a special emphasis on underserved and rural populations, including maternity care deserts. The initiative aims to promote equitable hypertension detection and control, improve maternal and fetal health outcomes, and reduce hospital admissions and morbidity related to hypertensive complications.
Recipients will be expected to:
- Fully implement their projects within the first six months of the award.
- Continuously evaluate processes and outcomes to assess effectiveness and impact.
- Document and share findings, best practices, and lessons learned with HHS and other stakeholders.
- Consider sustainability strategies beyond the funding period.
Awards will be made in 12-month budget periods, with a total project duration of up to 24 months. Continuation funding depends on available funds, satisfactory progress, and proper stewardship of federal funds.
