I’m a pediatrician in Michigan who created Rx Kids, one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty programs – here’s what I’ve learned about how medical schools can improve community health

The article highlights that poverty is one of the strongest and most lasting factors affecting health, even more than medical advances like vaccines or genome mapping. A family’s income directly influences health outcomes, and poverty during pregnancy or early childhood can cause lifelong harm. For example, it is linked to preterm births, low birth weight, maternal depression, infant death, and chronic illness. Before a child is born, many families experience a sharp drop in income, which continues during the first year of the baby’s life. Despite these clear connections, poverty is often noted in medical records but treated as a social issue outside the scope of medicine, rather than being addressed with the same urgency as other health conditions.

Academic medical centers, including land-grant universities like Michigan State University (MSU), have a long history of using science to solve real-world problems. MSU’s College of Human Medicine integrates healthcare and public health, focusing on public service. The author, a pediatrician at MSU, notes that these institutions are well-positioned to address major health threats, including poverty. Traditionally, medical schools have emphasized clinical care and research, but this article argues that they can also play a key role in addressing social determinants of health—the conditions in which people live, work, and grow. The Rx Kids program, launched by MSU, is an example of how medical schools can lead efforts to improve community health beyond the clinic.

In 2024, Michigan State University launched Rx Kids, the first universal and unconditional prenatal and infant cash program in the U.S. The program provides mothers with $1,500 during pregnancy and families with $500 monthly until the baby’s first birthday. Unlike traditional welfare programs, Rx Kids has no income requirements or conditions on how the money is spent, aiming to reduce stigma and administrative burdens. The program is place-based, meaning all families in participating communities are eligible. As of now, over 15,000 families in dozens of Michigan communities have received more than $55 million in direct cash support. The program has expanded to Ohio and is expected to reach nearly 25,000 Michigan babies annually.

Early results from Rx Kids show significant improvements in health outcomes. In Flint, the first community to implement the program, there was an 18% drop in preterm births and a 27% drop in low birth weight. Neonatal mortality decreased by 50%, and reports of postpartum depression, anxiety, and stress among mothers also fell. The program has been linked to a 32% reduction in infant maltreatment reports, which helps prevent child welfare involvement. Beyond health, direct cash support has boosted local economies by creating jobs and stimulating spending. It also saves public money by preventing costly problems, such as stays in neonatal intensive care units.

Rx Kids has also improved the work experience for clinicians like the author. A new study found that pediatricians in communities with the program reported greater professional fulfillment, more efficient use of appointment time, and reduced moral distress. When families can meet basic needs like housing and food, doctors can focus on providing the care they were trained to deliver, rather than addressing issues like hunger or homelessness. This shift reduces burnout, which is a growing concern in healthcare. The program demonstrates that addressing social conditions can complement traditional medical treatments, leading to better health outcomes for patients and more sustainable careers for doctors.