About The Study: In this randomized study, individuals who received a cash benefit had significantly fewer emergency department visits, including those related to behavioral health and substance use, fewer admissions to the hospital from the emergency department, and increased use of outpatient subspecialty care. Study results suggest that policies that seek to alleviate poverty by providing income support may have important benefits for health and access to care.
About The Study: In this randomized study, individuals who received a cash benefit had significantly fewer emergency department visits, including those related to behavioral health and substance use, fewer admissions to the hospital from the emergency department, and increased use of outpatient subspecialty care. Study results suggest that policies that seek to alleviate poverty by providing income support may have important benefits for health and access to care.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Sumit D. Agarwal, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., email sagarwal14@bwh.harvard.edu.
To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link
(doi:10.1001/jama.2024.13004)
Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.
# # #
Embed this link to provide your readers free access to the full-text article This link will be live at the embargo time
Journal
JAMA
Cite Scienmag News
Reid Dalton. (July 22, 2024). Effect of cash benefits on health care utilization and health. Scienmag. https://scienmag.com/effect-of-cash-benefits-on-health-care-utilization-and-health/
Reid Dalton. "Effect of cash benefits on health care utilization and health." Scienmag, 22 July 2024, https://scienmag.com/effect-of-cash-benefits-on-health-care-utilization-and-health/. Accessed 6 September 2026.
Reid Dalton. "Effect of cash benefits on health care utilization and health." Scienmag. July 22, 2024. https://scienmag.com/effect-of-cash-benefits-on-health-care-utilization-and-health/
