The Philly Joy Bank, a groundbreaking trial program in Philadelphia, is providing 250 pregnant residents with $1,000 per month in an effort to address racial disparities in infant mortality. The financial assistance begins in the second trimester and continues until the child’s first birthday. This initiative, detailed on the program’s website, aims to alleviate financial stress during pregnancy, a factor linked to adverse birth outcomes.
Eligibility for the program requires residency in one of three Philadelphia neighborhoods with the highest rates of very low birth weight: Cobbs Creek, Strawberry Mansion, or Nicetown-Tioga. Applicants must also be pregnant and have an annual household income below $100,000. In addition to the monthly stipend, families can opt into voluntary support services, including home visits, financial counseling, and doula assistance.
Philadelphia’s infant mortality rate is a stark 40% higher than the national average, according to recent data from the Department of Public Health. This disparity disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic communities, with prematurity, perinatal conditions, and sleep-related deaths identified as key contributing factors.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(824×629:826×631)/pregnant-Black-mother-101922-2-530e7ad1b3754500b5ee5a1456e2c290.jpg)
The Philadelphia Community Action Network (CAN) established the Philly Joy Bank to combat these racial disparities by fostering awareness and education within the community. The program directly addresses the alarming statistic that Black infants in Philadelphia are over three times more likely to die before their first birthday compared to White infants.
Dr. Stacey Kallem, director of the Philadelphia Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health, emphasizes the program’s core principle: providing direct financial assistance to reduce stress. As quoted in Whyy, Dr. Kallem states, “Alleviating financial stress during pregnancy can have real and positive impacts on birth outcomes. And the way to alleviate financial stress is actually pretty simple — you give people cash.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1059×0:1061×2)/mom-breastfeeds-newborn-baby-1209117953-a2c1481ed23e4736bdcf54b102e6cc4f.jpg)
The Philly Joy Bank empowers recipients to use the funds for their individual needs, acknowledging that everyday expenses often leave little room for essential baby items. Imani Davis, a program participant, shared with Whyy how the guaranteed income addresses this gap: “All your money has to go to bills, all your money has to make sure you have food on the table or a roof over your head, so you might not have extra money for a stroller or a crib. This is where the guaranteed income will make an impact.”
Currently, 111 individuals have enrolled in the trial program, according to the Daily Mail. The program is funded by $6 million in public and private contributions raised over two years, as reported by Whyy.
