Providing universal basic income to improve healthcare access for Black men in the US South

Universal Basic Income and Structural Racism in the US South: Differences in Health Service Utilization Between Older African American Men with and Without Experiences of Recent Incarceration

This study is testing if giving $500 a month for six months can help low-income Black men in the South with chronic illnesses access healthcare better.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 450 (estimated)
• Ages: 45 Years and up
• Sex: Male
• Sponsor: University of Arkansas (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Little Rock, Arkansas)
• Trial ID: NCT05778578 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This intervention aims to increase healthcare utilization among chronically-ill, low-income Black men by providing a universal basic income (UBI) of $500 per month for six months. The study focuses on addressing the racial income gap and its impact on health outcomes, particularly for those with a history of incarceration. Participants will be divided into control and intervention groups to assess the efficacy of UBI in promoting health and well-being. The research seeks to inform health policy by demonstrating how financial support can enhance access to community-based healthcare services.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Black men aged 45 and older who have a chronic health condition and a history of incarceration, currently residing in central Arkansas.

Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as Black or African American or who do not have a history of incarceration may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve healthcare access and health outcomes for Black men facing economic and systemic barriers.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of universal basic income is gaining attention, this specific approach targeting health disparities among Black men is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* self-report as having received from a medical professional a diagnosis for at least one chronic health condition (if chronic condition is HIV see supplement to this study (NCT NCT06186128));
* be at least 45 years old;
* be within 6 months of release from a correctional setting in Arkansas at the time of enrollment (only for those participants with a history of incarceration which will comprise half of the sample population for Aim 2);
* be able to understand and speak English and to provide written and verbal informed consent;
* plan to remain in the central Arkansas area for the duration of the study period;
* be willing and able to provide bi-weekly information about all activities related to seeking employment and to share financial and income-related information with the study team;
* self-identify as Black or African American;
* have been assigned the male gender at birth;
* be willing to provide medical releases to allow project staff to access healthcare records;
* not be currently engaged in healthcare services (defined as not having attended a primary or specialty medical care visit in the past 12 months (excluding any visits to the emergency department or rooms or urgent care clinics in the last 12 months); and
* have a median annual income up to 400% of the federal poverty threshold (the federal poverty threshold is defined as an annual income of less than $12,760 for single adults or $17,240 if a married couple files jointly) in the 12-month period prior to study enrollment or prior to their most current episode of incarceration.

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Where this trial is running

Little Rock, Arkansas

• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences — Little Rock, Arkansas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Brooke Montgomery, PhD

Conditions Health Care Utilization