Philly Joy Bank in Philadelphia provides $1,000 monthly to pregnant residents in high-risk neighborhoods to improve birth outcomes.
Philly Joy Bank’s Innovative Program Aims to Improve Birth Outcomes
Philadelphia’s Philly Joy Bank provides $1,000 monthly to pregnant residents in neighborhoods with high rates of poor birth outcomes aiming to lower the city’s above-average infant mortality rate.
A program offers 250 pregnant participants $18,000 in 18 monthly payments over three years. Applicants, 12-24 weeks pregnant with household incomes under $100,000, will be selected by lottery starting in July. Services like lactation consultation, home visiting, doula care, and financial counseling aim to improve health outcomes.
Nia Coaxum, the program manager, emphasizes the program’s goal to empower participants by meeting their basic needs and improving their health outcomes, according to the report of Axios Philadelphia.
(photo: The Hill)
Pioneering Direct Cash Transfers to Reshape Public Health Strategies
The program’s impact and effectiveness are under scrutiny, with evaluation led by Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health. This assessment will examine financial stability, postpartum stress, and parental wellbeing, offering insights into the initiative’s success and potential for broader implementation.
Philadelphia’s Philly Joy Bank joins other cities in pioneering direct cash transfers as a means to address social inequities presenting a significant effort to reshape public health strategies and address disparities. By focusing on immediate financial relief and long-term health benefits and the program aims to foster healthier outcomes for vulnerable communities.
