Nichole Nidey, assistant professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health, focuses her research on pregnant people and mothers with substance use disorders. She directs the EMPOWER Project, which is committed to listening to patient stories and ensuring that the voices of those with lived experiences drive meaningful change in health care.

Iowa can lead the way by investing in comprehensive, statewide education campaigns that focus on the realities of substance use disorder, highlighting that it is a health issue, not a moral failing.

Nichole Nidey’s research team developed a new online tool that maps substance treatment centers available for pregnant women in Iowa.

Pregnant and parenting people with opioid use disorder commonly experience stigma, or the enactment of negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes, during their pregnancy and at delivery. We will describe four different domains of stigma: self, interpersonal, structural, and policy, and discuss how they intersect to amplify the experiences of shame, anxiety, isolation, lack of trust for birthing people and parents that can contribute to the avoidance of prenatal care and substance use treatment which can impact pregnancy and infant health outcomes.

In this episode, Christie explores the intersection of substance use and maternal health with innovators Dr. Nichole Nidey and Michelle Kavouras, focusing on the power of lived expertise to shape equitable, evidence-based care.

University of Iowa efforts to support pregnant women with substance use disorders are helping to deliver vital health care, provide treatment resources, and keep families together.

“I want to make sure that we’re asking the right questions and not making assumptions that are not appropriate to make. Researchers and health care providers are not immune from stigma and bias.” - Dr. Nichole Nidey

The Together for Better Care webinar series, a collaborative effort between OPQC and the EMPOWER Project, aims to raise awareness and highlight strategies to address perinatal care issues and provide support for mothers navigating opioid use disorder (OUD) challenges.

Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative | Addressing Disparities in SUD Care and Outcomes

Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative | Supporting Perinatal Patients with Substance Use Disorder During the First Year Postpartum

Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative | Impact of Stigma on Perinatal Patients with Substance Use Disorder

Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative | Impact of Stigma on Perinatal Patients with Substance Use Disorder

Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative | Impact of Stigma on Perinatal Patients with Substance Use Disorder