Dr. Deirdre Quinn’s research focuses on advancing the quality and equity of reproductive health and healthcare for women Veterans, with the goals of (1) identifying modifiable factors that contribute to disparities in care and outcomes and (2) designing policies, programs, and prevention strategies that promote quality and equity in sexual and reproductive health and healthcare and support reproductive autonomy across the life course.
Examining prepregnancy health and maternal outcomes among Veterans.
The number of women in the United States dying during or around pregnancy has been increasing for the past thirty years. Women from racial and ethnic minorities, women who live in rural areas, and women with low- income have a higher risk than other women of dying during or around pregnancy. Many of these deaths are related to pre-existing chronic health conditions and may be preventable by improving women’s health before they become pregnant. Women Veterans have a high prevalence of chronic medical and mental health conditions; little is known about their maternal outcomes.
This mixed-methods project examines how links between Veterans’ prepregnancy health risks (e.g., chronic conditions), social characteristics (e.g., race/ethnicity, rurality), healthcare experiences, and maternal outcomes can inform interventions to improve Veterans’ healthcare.
Birth Control on Demand at VA
This demonstration project is a collaboration between the divisions of primary care, women’s health, and pharmacy at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and VA Puget Sound. The project’s goals are to determine the feasibility and acceptability at VA of (1) pharmacist prescribing of hormonal contraception and (2) 12-month contraceptive dispensing.
Funding:
1IK2HX003327-01A1 - Examining Pre-Pregnancy Health and Maternal Outcomes among Women Veterans
VA Center for Health Equity Research & Development (CHERP) Competitive Pilot Award (FY21)