A recent study has found that newborn deaths in Flint, Michigan, have decreased by 50% since the implementation of the Rx Kids cash aid program. The program, which provides $7,500 in total to families during pregnancy and the first year of their child’s life, has been shown to improve maternal and infant health by alleviating financial burdens.

Program Details

Rx Kids, led by the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, offers $1,500 in cash assistance mid-pregnancy and then monthly $500 payments for six or 12 months after birth. The program is funded with a combination of state, local, private, and philanthropic dollars.

According to Dr. Mona Hanna, director of Rx Kids, the program has led to improvements in housing stability, nutrition, and prenatal care for mothers. The study found that the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births in Flint decreased from 10 to 5, bringing the city’s neonatal mortality rate closer to the state average.

Impact on Families

Heather Schmalz, a first-time mom and math teacher, credited Rx Kids with making motherhood a financial reality for her. She used the cash aid to pay off debt and sign her baby up for health insurance.

The study’s findings add to a growing body of research on the effectiveness of cash aid programs. While some studies have shown mixed results, Rx Kids has been shown to have a positive impact on maternal and infant health in Flint.

Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.