The University of San Diego has won a three-million dollar grant to study perinatal (pear-ee-NAY-tal) depression, a condition that affects women during pregnancy and after birth. It's the largest research award in the school's history. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
The money comes from the National Institute of Mental Health. USD will use the grant to conduct a five-year study into perinatal depression.
Dr. Cynthia Connelly is the director of nursing research at USD. She says the condition affects more than one out of ten women who are pregnant or who have a baby under one year of age.
Dr. Cynthia Connelly: People who've had a history of depressive symptomatology may be at greater risk, but actually all women can be at risk for developing depression during the perinatal period.
The study will involve 4,000 pregnant and new mothers in San Diego. Connelly says the goal is to improve screening and access to mental health services.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
