Investments in Mothers' and Babies' Health and Well-being During Pregnancy, Perinatal and Post-natal Period: Evidence From an Unconditional Cash Allowance Program in the Appalachian Region, USA, 2024-2027
Columbia University
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to see how giving direct cash support affects the health of pregnant women and their babies in the U.S. Many families, especially those with low incomes, face challenges during pregnancy and after childbirth. This study will explore whether financial help during these times leads to better health. The main questions this research aims to answer are: * Does extra money during pregnancy and a baby's first months improve the baby's growth and overall health? * How does financial support affect a mother's physical and mental health before and after birth? * Does having extra money help moms get better healthcare and make healthier food choices for themselves and their babies? Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to either a high cash or low cash group. They will be enrolled in the study and asked to complete: * A baseline survey * A follow-up survey 12 months after enrollment * A final survey 18 months after enrollment In addition, participants' medical records will be reviewed, and some may be selected for a qualitative interview to share more about their experiences. This research is being done in partnership with The Bridge Project, a program that helps moms in need. The goal is to find better ways to support the health of moms and babies facing financial hardship.
Description
In 2022, the United States witnessed a concerning statistic: approximately 1 in 5 children lived in poverty, marking the highest child poverty rate among high-income countries. This figure becomes even more alarming when examining specific demographic groups. Research from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reveals that 1 in 2 Black and Latino households with children reported financial hardships, compared to 1 in 4 white households with children. Furthermore, Black children were nearly three times as likely to live in poverty as White children in 2017, even after accounting for govern…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion criteria for treatment and control * Living in any of the study sites: Appalachian regions (West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee) * Being in the first or second trimester * Being 18 years or older Exclusion criteria * Mothers with severe conditions such as terminal cancer. * Mothers with identified addiction disorders. This includes any current or past addiction to legal (pain medication, alcohol) or illegal substance that has known risk for self-harm death (suicide, overdose) and/or consequences for maternal and/or fetal health. * Mothers younger than 18 years old. * Not livi…
Interventions
- BehavioralDirect Cash Support for Maternal and Infant Health (High fee)
The high fee group will receive direct cash assistance to pregnant women and mothers of infants to improve access to healthcare, alleviate financial strain, and facilitate healthier lifestyle choices. This group will receive a higher level of financial support compared to the low fee group, with the aim of examining how larger amounts of financial assistance affect maternal and infant health, healthcare access, and well-being.
- BehavioralBehavioral: Direct Cash Support for Maternal and Infant Health (Low fee)
The low fee group will receive direct cash assistance to pregnant women and mothers of infants to improve access to healthcare, reduce financial strain, and support healthier lifestyle choices. This group will receive a lower level of financial support compared to the high fee group, allowing us to compare the effects of varying levels of financial assistance on maternal and infant health outcomes.
Location
- Columbia University Irving Medical CenterNew York, New York