How economic help and benefits affect birth health for low-income mothers
Economic security policy and birth outcomes among socio-economically disadvantaged women
This project compares how government cash and benefit programs, alone and together, relate to baby birth weight and the chance of being born early for low-income women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294353 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a long-term, nationally representative survey (the Panel Study of Income Dynamics) to compare four policies — SNAP, the Earned Income Tax Credit, minimum wage laws, and Unemployment Insurance — and their links to low birth weight and preterm birth. It looks at how families often combine multiple benefits to make ends meet rather than using a single program alone. The team will estimate how much any effects happen through likely pathways such as extra money, better nutrition, reduced stress, or improved access to services. The research will also examine differences by race and by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 era.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant or recently pregnant low-income women — especially Black women and those who experienced economic hardship during the COVID-19 era — are the population whose experiences this research centers on.
Not a fit: People who are not low-income, are not giving birth, or whose risks for preterm birth are driven by non-economic medical factors may not see direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help shape policies that boost economic supports and reduce low birth weight and preterm births among low-income mothers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked individual programs like SNAP, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and higher minimum wages to better birth outcomes, but combined effects and the role of Unemployment Insurance are less well studied.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reynolds, Megan — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Reynolds, Megan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.