March of Dimes has initiated a new research collaborative in Texas aimed at reducing the state’s significant rate of preterm births. This partnership includes prominent institutions such as UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and UT Medical Branch in Galveston, and marks the organization’s sixth Prematurity Research Center nationwide.
“This is a historical moment for Dallas-Fort Worth and for the state of Texas,” stated Clint Abernathy, board chair of March of Dimes and president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance. Texas currently has a preterm birth rate of 11%, which translates to over 43,000 preterm births in 2023, approximately one in nine babies born in the state. Abernathy emphasized that this collaborative is designed to develop innovative strategies to combat this critical issue.
The collaborative aims to leverage existing expertise within Texas to address the alarming preterm birth statistics. Abernathy remarked, “Whenever you have research that focuses on the wonderful assets in the community, it’s very easy to tie into the mission.”
Research Focus and Collaboration
Leading the project at UT Southwestern Medical Center is Dr. Katherine Spong, chair of the OBGYN department. Dr. Spong highlighted the importance of using the March of Dimes network to enhance research efforts. “Having the ability to leverage the March of Dimes network is going to be really important for us and a huge opportunity for our young faculty members as well as our experienced faculty members,” she said.
While some of the March of Dimes research centers may share common objectives, each brings unique strengths to the collaborative. At UT Southwestern, researchers focus on improving pregnancy outcomes and lowering preterm births through various approaches, including basic science and population health research. The collaboration will also emphasize the role of nutrition and metabolism during pregnancy.
Dr. Spong noted the potential benefits of sharing resources across institutions. “They may already have samples that are collected in a certain way, or information collected that we can leverage to answer questions together,” she explained.
Access to Comprehensive Care
UT Southwestern conducts around 13,000 deliveries each year and serves as a critical provider of maternal health services. The clinical services at Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas County’s public hospital, account for approximately 150,000 prenatal visits and 10,000 deliveries annually. This volume positions UT Southwestern as the “busiest comprehensive maternity program” in the United States.
According to March of Dimes, the extensive clinical services offered by UT Southwestern provide a “large-scale validation” group for testing and researching interventions aimed at reducing preterm births.
The timing of this collaboration coincides with significant changes in healthcare and academic research landscapes, which are influencing funding opportunities. Dr. Spong expressed her hope that affiliation with the March of Dimes network will expedite the research process for Texas and beyond. “The opportunities for us to collaborate with other March of Dimes centers and Prematurity Research Centers is just transformational,” she said. “We’re really excited about the opportunity.”
The establishment of this collaborative illustrates a dedicated effort to tackle the pressing issue of preterm births in Texas, with the potential for significant advancements in maternal and infant health.
