BFY sample match with NDI data

The goal of this project is to link data from the CDC’s National Death Index to data from the Baby’s First Years study to understand what impact, if any, a monthly unconditional cash transfer has on maternal mortality. By linking these data sources we will be able to investigate if and how financial and economic assistance might mitigate mortality among mothers with low income with young children, from time of birth through early childhood.  Maternal and infant mortality rates are higher among Black and Hispanics than peers and racial and ethnic differences may be further exacerbated within low income.  Mothers and infants in the Baby’s First Years study were recruited across 12 maternity wards from 2018-19 in four cities (New Orleans, Omaha, New York City and the Twin Cities, MN).  40% of BFY mothers are Black/African American and 40% are Latina (predominantly Dominican, Mexican, Honduras) and about 1 in 5 were not born in the U.S.   40% of BFY families have been receiving a monthly unconditional cash gift of $333 and 60% of the n=1000 BFY families have been receiving a low-cash gift of $20, since 2018-19.  How increased financial resources may prevent maternal or child mortality is consistent with DuPri’s priorities related to Foundations of Lifelong Health, Biodemography and Intergenerational Studies. A majority of the research support for the study comes from NICHD.  We have funding through a wave 8 of follow-up for survey and in-person data collection; we will continue to submit proposals to fund an expanded follow-up of siblings of the focal children and for ongoing long term follow-up beyond wave 8.  Impacts on formative life and health outcomes such as mortality will be formative in shaping hypotheses and avenues for ongoing funding, including funding related to tracking and staying in contact with families.