Featured Publications

Lancet Featured
Effects of the Rx Kids during pregnancy and infancy on birth outcomes in the USAThe Lancet

Effects of the Rx Kids during pregnancy and infancy on birth outcomes in the USA

Key findings include an 18% reduction in preterm births, a 27% reduction in low birthweight,…
May 29, 2026 Read More
jama pediatrics logo
Cash transfers in the perinatal period and investigations of infant maltreatmentJAMA Pediatrics

Cash transfers in the perinatal period and investigations of infant maltreatment

Rx Kids is associated with a reduction in the maltreatment allegation rate among infants under…
May 7, 2026 Read More
JOFP Featured
Impacts of unconditional prenatal and infant cash transfers on postpartum parenting stressJournal of Family Psychology

Impacts of unconditional prenatal and infant cash transfers on postpartum parenting stress

Rx Kids was linked to reduced parenting stress for mothers with infants.
April 27, 2026 Read More
AJPH Featured
Hardship and Hope: The Relationship Between Unconditional Prenatal and Infant Cash Transfers, Economic Stability, and Maternal Mental Health and Well-BeingAmerican Journal of Public Health

Hardship and Hope: The Relationship Between Unconditional Prenatal and Infant Cash Transfers, Economic Stability, and Maternal Mental Health and Well-Being

Rx Kids was linked to a reduction in evictions, reduced risk of being behind on…
November 12, 2025 Read More
Upjohn Featured
An economic impact analysis of Rx Kids in Flint, MichiganUpjohn Institute

An economic impact analysis of Rx Kids in Flint, Michigan

Every dollar invested in Rx Kids returns an additional $0.60-$3.00 to the state economy, with…
October 30, 2025 Read More
JAMA Network Open logo
Unconditional cash transfers and prenatal care utilization in Flint, Michigan.JAMA Network Open

Unconditional cash transfers and prenatal care utilization in Flint, Michigan.

Rx Kids was associated with significantly improved rates of adequate prenatal care, reductions in the…
October 20, 2025 Read More

All Publications

Find citations for all published, soon-to-be published, and other research-related publications and media on the lists below.

A published paper graphic

Published Papers

Agarwal S., Shaefer H.L., Zamani-Hank Y., Finegood E. LaChance J., & Hanna M. (2026). The effects of the Rx Kids unconditional cash prescription programme during pregnancy and infancy on birth outcomes in the USA: a population-based, quasi-experimental study. The Lancet Public Health. [Link]

Agarwal, S., Shaefer, H. L., Jubaed, S., Schneider, W., Finegood, E. D., & Hanna, M. (2026). Cash transfers in the perinatal period and investigations of infant maltreatment. JAMA Pediatrics. [Link]

Finegood, E. D., Shaefer, H. L., Zamani-Hank, Y., LaChance, J., Wolock, M., Cederna, C. L., & Hanna, M. (2026). Quasi-experimental impacts of unconditional prenatal and infant cash transfers on postpartum parenting stress. Journal of Family Psychology. [Link]

Wolock, M., Cederna, C., Ortega, M., Jain, S., & Hanna, M. (2026). “I’m happy to be happy for my baby”: Perceptions of Rx Kids prenatal and infant cash prescriptions. Journal of Policy Practice and Research. [Link]

Zamani-Hank, Y., Nothaft, A., Shaefer, H. L., & Hanna, M. (2026). Lessons for program uptake: The 2024 Rx Kids universal and unconditional cash prescription program in Flint, Michigan. Public Health Reports. [Link]

Hanna, M., Agarwal, S., & Shaefer, H. L. (2025). Unconditional cash transfers and prenatal care utilization in Flint, Michigan. JAMA Network Open, 8(10), e2538406. [Link]

Hanna, M., Shaefer, H. L., Finegood, E., Agarwal, S., Zamani-Hank, Y., & LaChance, J. (2025). Hardship and hope: The relationship between unconditional prenatal and infant cash transfers, economic stability, and maternal mental health and well-being. American Journal of Public Health. [Link]

Shaefer, H. L. (2025). A new era of research on prenatal and childhood cash transfers and child health and well-being. JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2527005. [Link]

Shaefer, H. L., Hanna, M., Harris, D., Richardson, D., & Laker, M. (2024). Protecting the health of children with universal child cash benefits. The Lancet, 404(10469), 2380–2391. [Link]

Dickson, A., Medlin, T., Shaefer, H. L., & Hanna, M. (2024). Universal, unconditional cash prescriptions address perinatal poverty to reduce child maltreatment. Family Justice Journal, (3), 16–23. [Link]

A paper graphic

Reports, White Papers, Briefs, & Pre-Prints

Hanna, M., LaChance, J., Agarwal, S., & Shaefer, H.L,, (2026) “Narrowing Neonatal Mortality Disparities Following Implementation of Rx Kids Prenatal and Infant Cash Transfer Program in Flint, Michigan”  (PrePrint) [Link]

Hanna, M., & Hart, S. “Stronger Families: What Rx Kids Families Tell Us About Fatherhood.” A Report from Rx Kids and InvolvedDad. [Link]

Bulusu, A., Wolock, M., Lachance, J., Hollander, R., Cederna, C.L., & Hanna, M. (2026). “The Impact of Rx Kids on Pediatrician Wellness and Burnout.” (Preprint) [Link]

Rx Kids Survey Results (These reports provide real-time insights into the Rx Kids impact and are updated frequently) [Link]

Cederna C., Foster A.V.E., LaChance J., Finegood E., Agarwal S., Wolock M., & Hanna M. (2026). “The Impact of Unconditional Prenatal and Infant Cash Transfers on Maternal Anxiety.” (Preprint) [Link]

Appelman C., Cederna C., Fidan C., Doenmez T., LaChance J., Wolock M, Marsh M., Shaefer H.L., & Hanna M. (2026). ‘”Glimmers of Hope:” A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Unconditional Perinatal Cash Transfers and Maternal Hope.” (Preprint) [Link]

Bulusu, A., Wolock, M., Lachance, J., Hollander, R., Cederna, C. L., & Hanna, M. (2025). “The Impact of Rx Kids on Pediatrician Wellness and Burnout: A Thematic Analysis.” (Preprint) [Link]

What do Rx Kids moms spend their cash prescriptions on? Essential needs — starting with diapers (Research brief). (2026, March). Rx Kids Spending Report. [Link]

A baby boom in Flint? Births rise nearly 10% following launch of Rx Kids (Research brief). (2026, February). Rx Kids Flint Birth Report. [Link]

Smidt, C. (2026, February). FACT SHEET: The impact of childbirth on voter turnout in Michigan. Michigan State University Department of Political Science. [Link]

Shipp, G., LaChance, J., Foster, A., Wolock, M., Hollander, R., Shaefer, H. L., & Hanna, M. (2025). Impact of Rx Kids prenatal and infant cash transfers on diaper hardship in Flint, Michigan. SSRN. [Link]

Rx Kids: A new prescription for civic engagement (Research brief). (2025, November). [Link]

Bartik, T. J., Hershbein, B., Lendel, I., & Williams, S. (2025, October 30). An economic impact analysis of Rx Kids in Flint, Michigan. W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. [Link]

Hanna, M., Shaefer, H. L., Fogle, H., et al. (2024, December 20). Scaling up prenatal and infant cash prescriptions to eradicate deep infant poverty in the United States. Brookings Institution. [Link]

Hanna, M., & Shaefer, H. L. (2024). Playbook for replicating Rx Kids: Utilizing TANF and protecting public benefits. Pediatric Public Health Initiative at Michigan State University and Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan. [Link]

A microphone graphic

Selected Podcasts and Video Interviews

Rx Kids, Poverty Solutions and the Social Safety Net 
Dr. Mona Hanna, Michael Van Beek, Jarrett Skorup
June 24, 2026

Rx Kids and the Future of Family Support: Helping Michigan Moms and Babies Thrive 
Alyssa Stewart, Phil Tower
June 21, 2026

No Strings Attached, GiveDirectly Podcast
Dr. Mona Hanna, Emma Kelsey
April 2, 2026

Breaking Through with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner (Powered by MomsRising)
Dr. Mona Hanna
October 27, 2025

PathBreakers: Dr. Mona Hanna is Writing Cash Prescriptions for Families in Michigan
Dr. Mona Hanna
July 16, 2025

Public Health on Call: The Success of Rx Kids, Flint’s Infant Cash Prescription Program
Dr. Mona Hanna, Dr. Miriam Laker-Oketta
December 4, 2024

The Lancet: Poverty and health in the US
Dr. Luke Shaefer, Dr. Mona Hanna
October 24, 2024

America Dissected: Cash as Medicine in Flint, Michigan
Dr. Mona Hanna, Dr. Luke Shaefer
March 12, 2024