Saint Louis University has been awarded a $538,431 grant from Missouri Foundation for Health to research ways to improve maternal and infant health in the state of Missouri with improved access to clean diapers. The three-year grant will study ways to improve access to diaper supplies for families in need across the state.
The research project is led by Hisako Matsuo, Ph.D., professor of sociology and anthropology at Saint Louis University, and Jessica Barreca, Ph.D., program manager for community partnerships in interprofessional education (IPE) and adjunct faculty instructor in physical therapy at SLU.
SLU’s research team will partner with the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank (STLADB) and its partner banks around the state, as well as Kids Win Missouri to advance policies and systems changes that support the health, education, and well-being of children and families.
“Babies can use an average of 10 diapers a day,” said Matsuo, the principal investigator on the project. “When families experience diaper shortages, it can lead to increased levels of stress for caregivers.”
In Missouri, 20% of children live in families earning below the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) and major federal assistance program funds cannot be used to purchase diapers. Families without adequate diaper supplies have limited options for childcare as many daycares require the family to provide diapers for their child. Without a supply of diapers, children can’t be enrolled in daycare, which can limit a parent’s ability to work.
“Families need to have a consistent, sufficient set of diapers to keep their baby dry,” said Barreca, who manages SLU’s partnerships with more than 25 local non-profits in the St. Louis region and serves as a STLADB board member. “Having enough diapers allows babies to be healthy and happy.”