Effects of a monthly unconditional cash transfer starting at birth on family investments among US families with low income

Nature Human Behaviour, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(8), P. 1514 - 1529

Published: June 21, 2024

Language: Английский

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Effect of Cash Benefits on Health Care Utilization and Health

JAMA, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 332(17), P. 1455 - 1455

Published: July 22, 2024

Importance Poverty is associated with greater barriers to health care and worse outcomes, but it remains unclear whether income support can improve health. Objective To examine the effect of cash benefits on utilization Design, Setting, Participants The City Chelsea, Massachusetts, a low-income community near Boston, randomly assigned individuals by lottery receive benefits. Participants’ medical records were linked across multiple systems. Outcomes assessed during intervention period from November 24, 2020, August 31, 2021. Intervention Cash via debit card up $400 per month for 9 months. Main Measures primary outcome was emergency department visits. Secondary outcomes included specific types visits, outpatient use overall specialty, COVID-19 vaccination, biomarkers such as cholesterol levels. Results Among 2880 who applied lottery, mean age 45.1 years 77% female. 1746 participants randomized had significantly fewer visits compared control group (217.1 vs 317.5 1000 persons; adjusted difference, −87.0 persons [95% CI, −160.2 −13.8]). This reductions in related behavioral (−21.6 −40.2 −3.1]) substance (−12.8 −25.0 −0.6]) well those that resulted hospitalization (−27.3 −53.6 −1.1]). benefit no statistically significant total (424.3 −118.6 967.2]), (−90.4 −308.1 127.2]), or (83.5 −182.9 349.9]). Outpatient other subspecialties higher (303.1 32.9 573.2]), particularly without car. blood pressure, body weight, glycated hemoglobin, level. Conclusions Relevance In this study, received including use, admissions hospital department, increased subspecialty care. Study results suggest policies seek alleviate poverty providing may have important access

Language: Английский

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The impact of poverty and socioeconomic status on brain, behaviour, and development: a unified framework

Reviews in the Neurosciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 35(6), P. 597 - 617

Published: April 12, 2024

In this article, we, for the first time, provide a comprehensive overview and unified framework of impact poverty low socioeconomic status (SES) on brain behaviour. While there are many studies SES (including cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, even neurotransmitters) behaviours educational attainment, language development, development psychopathological disorders), prior did not integrate behavioural, educational, neural findings in one framework. Here, we argue that behaviour interrelated. Specifically, based studies, due to lack resources, associated with poor nutrition, high levels stress caregivers their children, exposure socio-environmental hazards. These psychological physical injuries normal several areas neurotransmitters. Impaired functioning amygdala can lead disorders, while impaired hippocampus cortex functions delay learning as well academic performance. This turn perpetuates leading vicious cycle psychological/physical impairments. addition providing economic aid economically disadvantaged families, interventions should aim tackle abnormalities caused by early childhood. Importantly, acknowledging childhood help increase equity. current study, list future understand brain.

Language: Английский

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Utilizing epigenetics to study the shared nature of development and biological aging across the lifespan

npj Science of Learning, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(1)

Published: March 21, 2024

Recently, biological aging has been quantified in DNA-methylation samples of older adults and applied as so-called "methylation profile scores" (MPSs) separate target samples, including children. This nascent research indicates that (1) can be early the life course, decades before onset aging-related disease, (2) is affected by common environmental predictors childhood development, (3) shows overlap with "developmental processes" (e.g., puberty). Because MPSs were computed using algorithms developed adults, these studies indicate a molecular link between environments, adult aging. Yet, if used to connect development aging, previous only traveled one way, deriving applying them Researchers have not yet epigenetic measures reflect pace child tested whether resulting are associated physical psychological In this perspective I posit combining new quantifications power address fundamental questions about span: How experience related adulthood? And what aging?

Language: Английский

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The promise and pitfalls of a strength-based approach to child poverty and neurocognitive development: Implications for policy

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 66, P. 101375 - 101375

Published: April 1, 2024

There has been significant progress in understanding the effects of childhood poverty on neurocognitive development. This captured attention policymakers and promoted progressive policy reform. However, prevailing emphasis harms associated with may have inadvertently perpetuated a deficit-based narrative, focused presumed shortcomings children families poverty. focus can unintended consequences for (e.g., overlooking strengths) as well public discourse focusing individual rather than systemic factors). Here, we join scientists across disciplines arguing more well-rounded, "strength-based" approach, which incorporates positive and/or adaptive developmental responses to experiences social disadvantage. Specifically, first show value this approach normative brain development diverse human environments. We then highlight its application educational policy, explore pitfalls ethical considerations, offer practical solutions conducting strength-based research responsibly. Our paper re-ignites old recent calls paradigm shift, cognitive neuroscience. also unique perspective from new generation early-career researchers engaged work, several whom themselves grown up conditions Ultimately, argue that balanced scientific will be essential building effective policies.

Language: Английский

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Emergence and evolution of developmental resilience science over half a century

Development and Psychopathology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 9

Published: March 8, 2024

Abstract This reflection on the history and future of developmental resilience science (DRS) highlights its co-emergence with psychopathology (DP), as well roles this journal founding editor, Dante Cicchetti, in evolution these intertwined domains scholarship. A remarkable constellation scholars at University Minnesota shaped course both conceptual frameworks their dissemination. I describe fundamental assumptions common to DP DRS that reflect roots pervasive influence systems theory science. four waves key principles present time. In conclusion, consider possibility a fifth wave is emerging focus understanding patterns multisystem, multilevel processes implications for interventions context interacting, interdependent, complex adaptive systems. close commentary questions research hopeful outlook human resilience.

Language: Английский

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Maternal psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and structural changes of the human fetal brain

Communications Medicine, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: May 26, 2022

Elevated maternal psychological distress during pregnancy is linked to adverse outcomes in offspring. The potential effects of intensified levels the COVID-19 pandemic on developing fetal brain are currently unknown.

Language: Английский

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Rethinking scarcity and poverty: Building bridges for shared insight and impact

Journal of Consumer Psychology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(3), P. 489 - 509

Published: Aug. 4, 2022

Abstract Resource scarcity is a powerful construct in social sciences. However, explanations about how resources influence overall wellbeing are difficult to generalize since much of the research on focuses relatively affluent marketplace conditions, limiting its usefulness large segments global population living poverty. Conversely, poverty provides cultural insights into resource deprivation, yet it stops short explaining systematic variation scarce among impoverished individuals. To bridge these intellectual silos and advance deeper understanding scarcity, we integrate research, which builds upon psychological tradition understand various forms everyday with sociological extreme enduring deprivation. We propose novel framework that integrates concept consumption adequacy clarifies scarcity's forms, intensity, duration, dynamic trajectories. leverage this generate agenda, ways stimulate dialog scholars, policymakers, organizations help inform life circumstances effective solutions.

Language: Английский

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Associations between Socioeconomic Status, Cognition, and Brain Structure: Evaluating Potential Causal Pathways Through Mechanistic Models of Development

Cognitive Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 47(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Abstract Differences in socioeconomic status (SES) correlate both with differences cognitive development and brain structure. Associations between SES measures such as cortical surface area thickness mediate skills executive function language. However, causal accounts that link SES, brain, behavior are challenging because is a multidimensional construct: correlated environmental factors, family income parental education, only distal markers for proximal pathways. Moreover, the themselves must span multiple levels of description, employ developmental perspective, integrate genetic effects on individual differences. Nevertheless, have potential to inform policy guide interventions reduce gaps outcomes. In this article, we review range empirical data be integrated cognition associated variation SES. We take specific example language evaluate multiscale computational model development, based an artificial neural network, support construction accounts. show how, bridging assumptions properties network structure magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) structure, different sets can connected. use contrast two possible pathways influences SES: prenatal postnatal stimulation. then explore implications each pathway intervene The points cumulative social disadvantage source poorest response interventions. Overall, highlight importance implemented models test competing

Language: Английский

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The COVID Cash Transfer Study: The Impacts of a One‐Time Unconditional Cash Transfer on the Well‐Being of Families Receiving SNAP in Twelve States

Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 42(3), P. 771 - 795

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

Abstract There is growing interest in the use of unconditional cash transfers as a means to alleviate poverty, yet little known about effects such U.S. This paper reports on results randomized controlled study one‐time $1,000 transfer May 2020 families with low incomes 12 states. The were receiving, or had recently received, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. We examine impact five pre‐registered outcomes (material hardship, mental health, parenting, child behavior, partner relationships) and several secondary (hardship avoidance, consumption, employment, benefit use). find no statistically significant (powered detect 0.09 standard deviations) any for full sample. In pre‐specified exploratory analyses, we reductions material hardship (‐0.17 among less than $500 earnings previous month, roughly bottom 50 percent monthly

Language: Английский

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