Rx Kids: A Cash Prescription Gives Babies a Stronger Start

Preterm births down 18%. Low birth weight down 28%. In Flint, Michigan, researchers are testing whether unconditional cash support during pregnancy and a baby's first year can measurably improve health outcomes—and the early results are striking. Rx Kids was founded by Dr. Mona Hanna at Michigan State University's Pediatric Public Health Initiative, with the University of Michigan's Poverty Solutions as a co-founding partner. The program provides direct cash to families at the moment financial pressure peaks. Researchers compare Flint's birth outcomes before and after the program launched against 21 similar Michigan cities, tracking real population-level change. This is what evidence-based policy looks like.