NIH IMPROVE Act

The NIH IMPROVE Act (S 4147) creates a new federal research initiative at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focused on reducing maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the U.S. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum individuals, particularly those from racial, ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic groups facing health disparities. The bill authorizes $53.4 million annually (2025-2031) to fund grants and research projects studying biological, social, and structural factors contributing to maternal health outcomes, including community-based interventions and causes like cardiovascular disease and mental health. This initiative requires NIH to build evidence on solutions to address disparities, with a specific emphasis on supporting researchers from underrepresented minority groups.