Jody R. Lori
VerifiedUniversity of Michigan · Systems, Populations and Leadership
Active 1986–2026
About
Jody R. Lori is the Sara H. & Robert B. Rothschild Endowed Professor in Global Nursing at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, where she is also a faculty member in the Department of Health Behavior and Clinical Sciences. Her research program contributes to the design and testing of innovative models of care aimed at improving maternal and newborn health in low-resource settings challenged by a lack of human resources, long distances to care, and cultural, gender, and socio-economic barriers. She utilizes a human rights framework to develop interventions that strengthen health systems and influence reproductive health policy, with a focus on reducing preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. Her extensive field work experience spans Ghana, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Liberia, Mexico, and Zambia, and her research has significantly contributed to addressing the global burden of maternal and neonatal mortality, including maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths worldwide. Dr. Lori is the Director of the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center and has held leadership roles in global health initiatives, including collaborations with the World Health Organization. She is an accomplished scholar with numerous publications and has received multiple awards and honors for her contributions to global health and nursing.
Research topics
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Family medicine
- Environmental health
- Obstetrics
Selected publications
Nursing Education Perspectives · 2026-02-03 · 1 citations
articleSenior authorGlobal disparities in the use of simulation-based nursing education highlight gaps in low-resource settings, such as the Caribbean. This study explored the needs and challenges of nurse educators across 13 Caribbean countries, focusing on their use of simulation and its postpandemic impact. While 62% of respondents used simulation, only 42.5% had standardized protocols; many respondents lacked confidence in scenario development and facilitation. Despite resource limitations, participants expressed strong interest in expanding simulation for clinical decision-making and team communication. Findings emphasize the importance of collaborative training initiatives and resource-appropriate strategies to strengthen nursing education and improve patient outcomes regionally.
How Nurses Contribute to Global Health System Resilience: A Scoping Review of Empirical Studies
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine · 2026-03-01
articleOpen accessIntroduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the need for the development of resilient health systems to meet current and future disaster readiness needs. The WHO has also emphasized mechanisms that will achieve this goal, including a focus on strengthening the global nursing workforce to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. However, there is limited synthesized research focusing on the contributions of the nursing workforce in developing and fostering health system resilience globally. Methods: Using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews, three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus) were searched for publications from 2006 until April 2024. English-language research studies and quality or process improvement projects were included. Systematic reviews, as well as studies focused on individual resilience, were excluded. Studies meeting search criteria were exported and screened first by title and abstract, and subsequently underwent a full-text review using Covidence software. Quantitative and qualitative data from studies meeting inclusion criteria were extracted and analyzed according to study objectives to create a narrative synthesis. This study was registered in the Open Science Framework on May 28, 2024. Results: Eleven articles were included of the 795 total retrieved. Overall, there is limited discussion of the nursing workforce in health system resilience. Eight of the 11 articles (73%) suggest that the nursing workforce is involved in operationalizing resilience during disasters, 10 articles (91%) call for nurses to be leaders in policy and the development of resilient health systems, however, this review found zero reports in the literature of the nursing workforce’s role in the planning, development, and leadership of resilient systems. Conclusion: Nurses are essential to resilient health systems, however, there is limited research examining the nursing workforce and its contributions to resilient health systems, particularly within disaster contexts. More targeted research on nursing workforce contributions to achieve resilient health systems is needed.
Pregnancy · 2026-04-13
articleOpen accessAbstract Introduction Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) remain a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality globally, with a disproportionate burden in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) such as Ghana. In high‐income settings, home blood pressure (BP) monitoring has emerged as an effective tool for early detection of HDP; however, limited data exist regarding its feasibility and acceptability in LMICs. This qualitative study sought to explore the experiences of women in Ghana who demonstrated low adherence to a home BP monitoring intervention during pregnancy. Methods This study was conducted at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), a tertiary care hospital in Accra, Ghana. Participants were 16 postpartum women, purposively sampled from an overarching cohort study of home BP monitoring based on low adherence, defined as recording BP values ≤ 4 days per week on average. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted in English or Twi. Interview guide questions focused on participants’ experiences recording their BPs, specifically eliciting challenges and perceived benefits. Interviews were audio‐recorded, translated, transcribed, coded in Dedoose using an iteratively developed codebook, and thematically analyzed. Results Participants had a mean age 30.4 years, 87% were married, and 69% had previously given birth. There were 29 codes grouped into four comprehensive themes: (1) disconnect between understanding and action, (2) barriers to adherence, (3) facilitators, and (4) suggestions for improvement. While many women understood the importance of BP monitoring in pregnancy and acknowledged its benefits, for some, there was dissonance between their understanding and behavior. Barriers included competing health priorities and familial responsibilities. Women emphasized familial support as a key facilitator to monitoring their BPs and suggested inclusion of their spouses and family members in further training. Finally, several women noted that frequent reminders, along with a machine with automatic data capturing, would facilitate adherence to at‐home monitoring. Conclusion Though participants recognized that home blood pressure monitoring was important, several barriers, including familial responsibilities and physical health, prevented them from adhering to daily checks. Incorporating culturally relevant digital reminders, simplified logging methods, and support from family may strengthen adherence. Future work will adapt and evaluate a smartphone‐based reminder and data‐capture platform informed by stakeholder input.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2025-10-21
articleOpen accessSenior authorBackground: Delays in emergency cesarean section (CS) remain a major contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity in low-resource settings. This study evaluated the combined effect of a mobile-based obstetric emergency system (MORES) and a midwife-led triage program on the decision-to-incision interval (DDI) and related outcomes in Liberia. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with an interrupted time series design was conducted in Bong County across two district hospitals receiving referrals from 20 rural health facilities. Seventy-two women referred for emergency CS were observed at baseline, midline, and endline. MORES used WhatsApp-based communication to improve referral coordination, while the triage program trained midwives to rapidly assess cases using a color-coded system. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-sum, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression. Results: By endline, the median DDI decreased by 117.5 min compared to baseline (95% CI: −205.1 to −29.9). Women were significantly more likely to receive a CS within 75 min (AOR: 11.7; 95% CI: 1.32 to 104.5). No maternal deaths occurred. Neonatal mortality was observed but not significantly associated with DDI. Conclusions: MORES and midwife-led triage substantially improved the timeliness of emergency CS in a resource-constrained setting. These low-cost, feasible strategies warrant further evaluation for sustainability and impact on neonatal outcomes.
Midwifery · 2025-05-10 · 1 citations
articleSenior authorPLoS ONE · 2025-10-15
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingHigh fertility rates in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Ghana, lead to closely spaced pregnancies and contribute to high maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Family planning remains critical for reducing rapid repeat and unwanted pregnancies, thus improving the health and survival outcomes. Unfortunately, many women face significant unmet needs due to limited knowledge, misinformation, and limited access to modern family planning methods in particular. Breastfeeding plays a substantial role, and the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) offers a practical, natural, readily available, and cost-efficient postpartum option when practiced correctly. However, many mothers lack sufficient awareness of LAM and the conditions necessary for its effectiveness. Antenatal care provides a strategic opportunity for targeted education and counselling on contraceptive choices, empowering women with the knowledge to adopt safe, informed, and sustainable practices. Group antenatal care (G-ANC), recommended by WHO for research in LMICs, offers a comprehensive and participatory platform for health education and behavioral change. This study examined G-ANC and its impact on creating awareness and improving knowledge of the lactational amenorrhea method among mothers. A cluster randomized control trial, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 25/07/2019 with RCT number NCT04033003, was conducted in Ghana at 14 health facilities with a total of 1761 participants. The study included pregnant women who were at least 15 years old, able to speak English or one of four local languages, and less than 20 weeks of gestation at enrollment. Women classified as high-risk by the midwife were excluded from participation in the study. Facilities were randomized using a matched pair method. Structured interviews were conducted at baseline and subsequent timepoints. The results found that group antenatal care increases maternal awareness and knowledge of the postpartum lactational amenorrhea method of family planning compared to individualized care. Subgroup analysis revealed that a mother's level of education and parity strongly predict maternal awareness of the lactational amenorrhea method. These findings support group antenatal care as an effective strategy to improve knowledge on the use of lactational amenorrhea as a family planning method.
AJOG Global Reports · 2025-02-22
articleOpen accessHypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Since elevated blood pressure is often a first presenting sign, a major function of antenatal care is frequent blood pressure monitoring. A newer approach to this—patient-performed home monitoring—has not been widely implemented in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana. Patient numeracy levels that are sufficient to understand and interpret home blood pressure values are a critical component of a successful home monitoring intervention. To evaluate perceived, objective, and applied numeracy to identify elevated blood pressure values among pregnant women engaged in home blood pressure monitoring in Ghana. Participants were 80 pregnant women at a tertiary hospital in Accra, Ghana. After training, participants engaged in home blood pressure monitoring for 2 to 4 weeks. A post-monitoring survey evaluated confidence and experience interpreting blood pressure values, a validated numeracy scale, and interpretation of blood pressure monitor outputs—half with numbers only and half with both numbers and colors. Mean correct responses on numbers only and numbers and colors outputs were compared. Linear regression evaluated predictors of correct interpretation of blood pressures. On a validated numeracy scale, mean score was 16.73 (SD: 6.01) out of 25, with 73.8% (n=59) having numeracy. Perceived ability was high, with 70.9% (n=56) definitely believing they could interpret blood pressures values. However, on objective evaluation, only 36.3% (n=29) correctly identified the cutoff for elevated systolic and 26.3% (n=21) for elevated diastolic blood pressure values. Out of eight displayed blood pressure monitor outputs, correct identification was significantly higher on outputs with both numbers and colors (μ=7.19, σ=0.81) compared to numbers only (μ=6.54, σ=1.35). On an adjusted linear regression, only scores on the numeracy scale had a significant yet small association with correctly identifying blood pressure monitor outputs (β 0.07, P =.025). Home blood pressure monitoring would benefit from monitors with both numerical and color-coded output. Focused training, rather than education level or general numeracy, may best predict blood pressure interpretation.
BMJ Global Health · 2025-03-01 · 2 citations
reviewOpen accessSenior authorHigh maternal mortality and morbidity in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is a significant global concern, especially among adolescents due to the high birth rates. Providing quality antenatal care, such as group antenatal care (GANC), is vital for enhancing maternal and newborn health outcomes for adolescents. Research indicates that GANC has a positive impact on maternal health outcomes for pregnant women in general. However, there is a notable gap in studies that specifically examine its effects on adolescents in LMICs. This scoping review, following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, examines the impact of GANC versus individualised antenatal care for pregnant adolescents. After a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature, eight articles were included. Findings demonstrate that GANC leads to better adherence to care, increased empowerment through knowledge, enhanced social support and improved newborn health quality. However, there is a notable scarcity of research on GANC for adolescents in LMICs, highlighting the need for further studies to inform policy to create, implement and possibly scale up adolescent-friendly GANC. The insights gained from this review can be leveraged for further feasibility studies to explore cultural appropriateness, adolescent responsiveness and adolescent preferences for GANC.
Implementation Science Communications · 2025-02-04 · 1 citations
articleOpen accessBACKGROUND: Understanding factors affecting adoption of an innovation is critical to its long-term success. Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) increase access to facility-based delivery in low-resourced settings; yet, quality issues deter utilization of this innovative approach. We sought to understand how attributes that are thought to promote diffusion of innovations (e.g., relative advantage, compatibility, observability, complexity, etc.) affected MWH use after implementation of an improved quality MWH model in rural Zambia compared to standard of care. METHODS: We conducted 158 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with randomly selected rural-living women who had delivered a baby in the prior 12 months. Half lived in catchment areas where new quality MWHs were constructed, half in catchment areas with standard of care (ranging from low quality community structures to no MWH). We applied content analysis to identify themes. RESULTS: Utilization of MWHs was higher among intervention (65.4%) than control women (42.5%). Respondents in both study arms perceived relative advantages to pregnant women staying at MWHs compared to going directly to health facilities when labor begins. MWH stays allowed for clinical staff to routinely check on and educate women, and address complications immediately. Compatibility of the homes with cultural values and needs depended on implementation. While some women from intervention sites complained about overcrowding, women in control sites more often perceived the lack of cleanliness, amenities, and safety as deterrents to utilization. Women at intervention sites received sensitization about MWHs from a wider range of sources, including traditional leaders. Required preparations needed to stay at MWHs (e.g. delivery supplies, food, and childcare) made adoption complex and may have deterred utilization. CONCLUSIONS: The improved MWH model addressed most community concerns around quality. Having opinion leaders who communicate the relative advantage of MWHs to pregnant women and their social networks may facilitate MWH utilization. The complexity of decisions and resources needed to stay at MWHs remains a critical barrier to use. To facilitate equitable adoption of MWHs among the most vulnerable women, planners should explore how to support women during their delivery preparations and MWH stays, particularly regarding food security and lack of social support for childcare. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02620436, Registered 02 December 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02620436?term=NCT02620436&rank=1.
Women and Birth · 2025-12-02
article
Recent grants
New Avenues to Increase the Use of Skilled Birth Attendants in Ghana
NIH · $141k · 2011–2016
NIH · $2.6M · 2018–2024
New Avenues to Increase the Use of Skilled Birth Attendants in Ghana
NIH · $563k · 2011–2017
Frequent coauthors
- 48 shared
Michelle L. Munro‐Kramer
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
- 44 shared
Cheryl A. Moyer
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
- 36 shared
Sarah Rominski
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
- 28 shared
Carol J. Boyd
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
- 26 shared
Nancy A. Scott
Boston University
- 26 shared
John E. Williams
Ghana Health Service
- 22 shared
Philip Veliz
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
- 22 shared
Veronica Millicent Dzomeku
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Awards & honors
- Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2012-present)
- Fellow, American College of Nurse-Midwives (2010-present)
- Sarah Goddard Power Award, Academic Women’s Caucus, Universi…
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