Rohan D’Souza and team awarded $25,000 to host international forum on pregnancy research

A team of researchers led by Dr. Rohan D’Souza (Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact), have received $25,000 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to host the International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems (INOSS) at McMaster University in May 2024. Co-investigators on the grant include Drs. Isabelle Malhamé (McGill University), Maria Ospina (Queen’s University) and Rachel Roy (McMaster). The research team thank Dr. Rebecca Seymour, Research Coordinator – The FLOURISH Research Group for helping put the grant together.

The meeting will be a forum for international, multidisciplinary experts and trainees that represent INOSS to discuss trends, disparities, and strategies to reduce severe adverse pregnancy events. It will mark INOSS’ first meeting outside of Europe.

INOSS – a global network of organizations conducting prospective population-based studies of serious illnesses in pregnancy and childbirth – has over 15 member countries, all of which have established or are in the process of establishing Enhanced Obstetric Survey Systems (EOSS).

Drs. D’Souza and Malhamé are leading the research and development of CanOSS – a national obstetric survey system that will enable the collection and sharing of data on severe maternal morbidity (SMM) across Canada, with the goal of reducing these adverse pregnancy outcomes. Canada is one of INOSS’ newest members.

“This meeting provides an incredible opportunity to share challenges, successes and strategies for reducing severe adverse pregnancy outcomes and improving health equity globally,” says Dr. D’Souza.

“We look forward to welcoming experts and trainees from around the world for what promises to be an insightful and inspiring meeting. It’s important that we learn from each other’s experiences and work together to improve health outcomes for pregnant patients.”