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Moms and Babies Health and Well-being

Investments in Mothers' and Babies' Health and Well-being During Pregnancy, Perinatal and Post-natal Period: Evidence From an Unconditional Cash Allowance Program in the Appalachian Region, USA, 2024-2027

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · Women · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion criteria for treatment and control

* Living in any of the study sites: Appalachian regions (West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee)
* Being in the first or second trimester
* Being 18 years or older

Exclusion criteria

* Mothers with severe conditions such as terminal cancer.
* Mothers with identified addiction disorders. This includes any current or past addiction to legal (pain medication, alcohol) or illegal substance that has known risk for self-harm death (suicide, overdose) and/or consequences for maternal and/or fetal health.
* Mothers younger than 18 years old.
* Not living in the study site range
* Mothers incarcerated during the course of the study
* Mothers institutionalized during the course of the study.

Additional Notes:

* Participants who are not eligible for this study are also excluded from enrolling in the Bridge Project and receiving the direct cash transfer.
* Per protocol, participation in the study will be determined based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Final eligibility and study participation decisions will be made at the discretion of the Principal Investigator.

About the study

The goal of this clinical trial is to see how giving direct cash support affects the health of pregnant women and their babies in the U.S. Many families, especially those with low incomes, face challenges during pregnancy and after childbirth. This study will explore whether financial help during these times leads to better health.

The main questions this research aims to answer are:

* Does extra money during pregnancy and a baby's first months improve the baby's growth and overall health? * How does financial support affect a mother's physical and mental health before and after birth? * Does having extra money help moms get better healthcare and make healthier food choices for themselves and their babies?

Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to either a high cash or low cash group. They will be enrolled in the study and asked to complete:

* A baseline survey * A follow-up survey 12 months after enrollment * A final survey 18 months after enrollment

In addition, participants' medical records will be reviewed, and some may be selected for a qualitative interview to share more about their experiences.

This research is being done in partnership with The Bridge Project, a program that helps moms in need. The goal is to find better ways to support the health of moms and babies facing financial hardship.

What is being tested

• Direct Cash Support for Maternal and Infant Health (High fee) (behavioral)
• Behavioral: Direct Cash Support for Maternal and Infant Health (Low fee) (behavioral)

Sponsor: Columbia University · Participants: 1,250 · Started: Feb 28, 2025

Contact the study team

• Khadija Jones Clinical Research Manager, MPH · Phone: 917-817-1490

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06923371

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.