# Joyuus: A Web-based Tool for Postpartum Care Self-care to Address the Complex Needs of Underserved Women

> **NIH NIH R44** · ORANGE SQUARE DESIGN, INC. · 2022 · $1

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
In the United States, the postpartum period is a critical time for both maternal and child health; the US maternal
mortality rate is the highest among other developed, high-income countries. More than half of all maternal
deaths occur postpartum, from one day to one year after birth.1-9 There are vast racial and ethnic disparities in
maternal mortality and severe morbidity, disproportionately experienced by Black and Latina mothers and other
BIPOC women. Black women are 3-4 times more likely to experience maternal mortality than white women10,
and Hispanic women are twice as likely to experience severe maternal outcomes compared with non-Hispanic
white women.11 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognized the deficiencies in
postpartum care and coined the term the ‘fourth trimester’ to mark the time following birth through the first 3-
months postpartum. They recently updated recommendations to address these challenges.12 The Biden Build
Back Better Act also prioritized this issue. Joyuus is a web-based self-care mobile tool addressing the 12
months postpartum, to reduce the risks of avoidable morbidity and mortality for underserved women. The tool
addresses physical, mental, real world, cultural, and knowledge barriers which impact quality postpartum care.
Joyuus provides information, resources, expert perspectives, peer communications and red flags presented in
a variety of formats to help women identify how to adopt healthy self-care habits. Importantly, it also identifies
when self-care leads to seeking provider care. Pregnant women often turn to the internet to find information
about their health and their developing baby's health. Yet, studies find that mothers are not finding sufficient
resources to match their postpartum needs.13 Our Phase I grant demonstrated in a sample of Black women
that this audience is highly engaged across the income and education spectrum and prefers mobile access
and text-based communication. In Phase II we will continue our efforts to include lived experiences of women
most at risk for negative postpartum outcomes as we build the complete tool. Our first step will be to conduct a
needs assessment to understand informational, cultural and language wants and needs in the Latina
population. The broader randomized trial will invite a diverse population of BIPOC and white women. Our
Phase II scope aims to complete three major tasks:
AIM 1: Expand feasibility activities to address Latina population. Explore self-care (and seeking care)
needs for the postpartum Latina community and integrate with our Phase I focus group findings.
AIM 2: Build complete tool. We will complete the development of a fully interactive Joyuus web based mobile
tool in English and Spanish.
AIM 3: Test in randomized controlled trial. We will test the effectiveness of Joyuus with a diverse national
sample of postpartum women, considering the impact on maternal function, depression, anxiety, resilienc...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10544362
- **Project number:** 2R44MD014923-02
- **Recipient organization:** ORANGE SQUARE DESIGN, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Lisa D Marceau
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-09-23 → 2023-01-05

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10544362

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10544362, Joyuus: A Web-based Tool for Postpartum Care Self-care to Address the Complex Needs of Underserved Women (2R44MD014923-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10544362. Licensed CC0.

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