Changes in Self-Reported Adult Health and Household Food Security With the 2021 Expanded Child Tax Credit Monthly
Jordan M Rook1,2,3, Cecile L Yama2, Adam B Schickedanz4
1Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California.
JAMA Health Forum
|June 24, 2023
Summary
The 2021 Expanded Child Tax Credit (ECTC) monthly payments improved adult health and food security. These findings suggest cash transfer programs can enhance well-being and nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Social Policy
Background:
- The 2021 Expanded Child Tax Credit (ECTC) provided monthly payments to families with children, yet its impact on adult health remains understudied.
- Understanding the association between ECTC and adult health outcomes is crucial for evaluating social welfare policies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in adult self-reported health and household food security before and during the ECTC monthly payment period.
- To assess the differential impact of ECTC on health and food security across income levels.
Main Methods:
- A repeated cross-sectional study design using the National Health Interview Survey (2019-2021) with 39,479 respondents.
- Multivariable regression with a difference-in-differences estimator to compare outcomes before and during ECTC payments.
- Analyses were stratified by income to differentiate effects on low-income versus middle- and upper-income households.
Main Results:
- ECTC-eligible adults showed a statistically significant greater adjusted increase in excellent or very good health (3.0 pp) and food security (1.9 pp) compared to ECTC-ineligible adults.
- The positive association between ECTC and overall health was concentrated among middle- and upper-income households (3.7 pp increase).
- The association between ECTC and food security was concentrated among low-income adults (3.9 pp increase).
Conclusions:
- Monthly ECTC payments were associated with significant improvements in adult overall health and household food security.
- The findings support the effectiveness of cash transfer programs, like the ECTC, as tools for enhancing adult health and household nutrition.
- Targeted financial support can yield measurable improvements in population health and food security, particularly for vulnerable groups.
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