The City of Flint is thrilled to announce the Rx Kids program has reached $2 million cash prescribed to more than 800 families in the community. The Rx Kids program, based at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, is designed to support pregnant mothers and newborns, providing them with the financial resources needed to ensure a healthy start in life. This $2 million milestone is a testament to the program’s mission of empowering women, improving health outcomes, and creating a brighter future for Flint’s children.
Black babies are almost four times as likely to die from complications related to low birth weight than their white counterparts, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. To address these disparities, Rx Kids provides pregnant mothers in Flint who enroll in the program with $1,500 mid-pregnancy and $500 per month once the baby is born for the first year of their life.
“The success of Rx Kids and the $2 million in cash prescribed milestone showcases Flint’s resilient spirit and commitment to building a brighter future for our youngest residents,” said Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. “Thanks to Dr. Mona and the dedicated team behind Rx Kids, Flint is leading the way in transforming how we support our families. This program is not just about financial aid; it’s about giving our children the best possible start in life, ensuring healthier outcomes for generations to come.”
The costs associated with prenatal and early childhood care are burdensome for families; childbirth is the poorest time in a family’s life. This financial assistance is intended to cover essential needs such as food, prenatal care, rent, and childcare, helping to lift families out of poverty and providing a foundation for long-term economic stability. Globally and domestically, prenatal and infant cash transfers have positively influenced healthier pregnancies by enhancing birth weights, reducing premature births, promoting breastfeeding, bolstering parental mental health, and ensuring food security.
“When I found out I was pregnant, my first thought was, ‘It has been 19 years since I’ve been a mom to a newborn baby,’” said Angela Sintery, Rx Kids enrolled mom. “I’m a teacher, so we don’t make a lot of money. When I first found out, I thought, ‘Oh, what am I going to do?’ I was invited to apply for Rx Kids, and I thought it was such a blessing; it has helped me feel more secure and confident that I’m able to provide clothes, furniture, and many other things for my daughter that babies need. I’m very grateful for Rx Kids.”
Research highlights that monthly cash transfers to low-income families significantly enhance infants’ cognitive development during their formative years. The benefits of these interventions extend well into adulthood, with adult children of cash transfer recipients experiencing enhanced health, educational attainment, nutritional status, increased lifetime earnings, and reduced rates of anxiety and depression.
“Cash prescriptions are a powerful antidote to poverty,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, director of Rx Kids and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine associate dean of public health. “As a pediatrician, I have been seeking a way to address the health issues brought on by poverty. From malnutrition to lack of access to healthy foods or socioeconomic trauma brought to the doorsteps of so many families. This is why I am so optimistic about Rx Kids and the hope and opportunity it affords families at a time when they are economically vulnerable. I look forward to the day when Rx Kids cash prescriptions expand into other communities – this is how society can help our babies thrive.”
Rx Kids is the first citywide universal maternal and infant cash prescription program in the country. The program is a collaborative effort involving Flint parents, community organizations, and national experts, including the MSU-Hurley Pediatric Public Health Initiative, the University of Michigan Poverty Solutions, and GiveDirectly. The public-private partnership aims to serve as a model for other communities, demonstrating how targeted financial support can drive significant improvements in public health and economic outcomes. With support from the recently passed State of Michigan budget, Rx Kids plans to expand this groundbreaking program to additional Michigan communities.
“The state’s commitment to expanding Rx Kids shows how important this program is to giving new moms and babies a great start and a chance to thrive,” said Jim Ananich, President & CEO of the Greater Flint Health Coalition.
To learn more about Rx Kids, please visit https://flintrxkids.com.
