Cash payments to families reduce infant deaths in Flint Michigan

The Rx Kids program reduced neonatal mortality by 50% in Flint, Michigan, after providing direct cash payments to families during pregnancy and infancy.

Researchers analyzed birth and death records from 2021 to 2025 to compare infant survival in Flint against the rest of the state. Before the program began, Flint had a neonatal mortality rate of 10.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, which was more than double the state average of 4.0.

One year after the program launched, the rate in Flint dropped to 5.1 deaths per 1,000 live births. The most significant drop occurred during the first week of life, where early neonatal mortality fell by 74% from 7.9 to 2.0 deaths per 1,000 live births. The Rx Kids initiative provides $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 every month during infancy to families in participating communities.

This program aims to address economic insecurity, which can impact health outcomes during critical windows of development. Previous research linked to the program also showed an 18% reduction in preterm births and a 27% reduction in low birth weight in Flint. Families reported using the funds to purchase essential items like cribs and bassinets to create safer sleep environments. Other observed improvements included better housing stability, improved maternal mental health, and increased trust in healthcare institutions.

Researchers plan to continue studying these findings as more data becomes available to see if these improvements remain steady in different populations.