Cash for Health Equity

Geographic Scope: Bridgeport, New Haven, Connecticut

Overview:
4-CT partners with healthcare providers to distribute cash assistance to promote positive health outcomes for individuals. Program addresses poverty and income volatility as social determinants of health.

Background

Health Impact of Poverty:

• Poverty and income volatility are important social determinants of health
• Pathways of impact: food insecurity, housing instability, chronic toxic stress
• Associated with decreased medication adherence and underutilization of primary/preventative care
• Socioeconomic status closely associated with increased prevalence of chronic disease and increased morbidity/mortality
• Income volatility independently associated with worse health outcomes across range of chronic diseases

Program Components

Bridgeport & New Haven Health Equity Pilot:

• Partnership: 4-CT and SEICHE Center for Health and Justice at Yale School of Medicine
• Purpose: First-of-its-kind pilot determining effectiveness of unconditional monthly cash transfer programs
• Target: Individuals with chronic disease returning from incarceration
• Outcomes: Positive health outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals
• Goal: Generate data on feasibility of larger randomized controlled trial (RCT)
• Funding pursuit: Seeking additional funding from National Institutes for Health in support of RCT

HAVEN Food as Medicine:

• Partnership: HAVEN Free Clinic
• Participants: ~50 clients
• Support: Recurring disbursements of ~$400 over 6 months
• Restrictions: Cash assistance limited to food-related expenses