Health Equity
Bridgeport, New Haven
We’re partnering with healthcare providers to distribute cash assistance in an effort to promote positive health outcomes for individuals.
Poverty and income volatility are important social determinants of health.
There are several pathways by which lack of financial resources can impact health, including food insecurity and housing instability, as well as a source of chronic toxic stress.
Poverty is also associated with decreased medication adherence and underutilization of primary and preventative care.
Socioeconomic status is closely associated with increased prevalence of chronic disease and increased morbidity and mortality related to chronic disease. Income volatility is also independently associated with worse health outcomes of a range of chronic diseases.
Bridgeport New Haven Health Equity Pilot
4-CT and the SEICHE Center for Health and Justice at Yale School of Medicine partnered to launch a first of its kind pilot in Bridgeport and New Haven. The pilot was used to determine the effectiveness of an unconditional, monthly cash transfer program to promote positive health outcomes for individuals with chronic disease returning from incarceration.
The pilot was aimed at generating important data on the feasibility of administering a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) on chronic disease outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals.
We are pursing additional funding with the National Institutes for Health in support of the RCT.
HAVEN Food as Medicine
We partnered with HAVEN Free Clinic to provide recurring disbursements for ~$400 over 6 months to 50 clients. Cash assistance was restricted to food-related expenses.
