Universal Basic Income and Structural Racism in the US South
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This Stage 3 efficacy study aims to address the critical need for interventions that increase access to appropriate community-based healthcare services, especially for those who have a history of incarceration and inform health policy by testing an intervention that directly reduces the racial income gap by providing a universal basic income (UBI). UBI is intended to promote and protect Black men's health through the influx of capital and subsequent increases in culturally-based protective factors such as personal agency and social connections. Participants will be split into 2 groups: the control and the intervention. Participants in the intervention group will be provided UBI of $500 per month for 6 months to increase healthcare utilization among chronically-ill, low-income Black men.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| No Intervention: Control All participants will receive the following: 1) a ClinCard and instructions for completing a weekly financial journal to record participants' spending patterns and social needs during the first 6 months of the study; 2) materials about financial literacy and community-based resources that provide support to low-income individuals; 3) description and instructions for follow-up assessments and check-ins; 4) a copy of signed medical release, consent, and HIPAA forms; 5) respondent-driven sampling referral cards; 6) 3 study referral cards, and 7) information about voter registration services provided through the Pulaski County Circuit and County Clerk's Office (https://www.pulaskiclerk.com/voter-registration/). Participants will be provided information about the importance of voting, restoration of voting rights, and the process of voting and sealing records. |
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| Active Comparator: Intervention Participants in Arm 2 will receive a monthly UBI stipend of $500 for 6 months. Study staff will explain that UBI payments will continue for 6 months and that the UBI payments will be suspended if an individual is reincarcerated (e.g. the participant will not receive UBI payments to their ClinCard during months of incarceration and will not receive additional months post-release from incarceration). Participants will receive their monthly UBI payment, along with all study-related compensation for completing baseline and follow-up assessments, through a ClinCard, which is a loadable debit card with an ID number unique to the participant. The UBI will be loaded to the participant's ClinCard on the first day of each month. |
Other: Universal Basic Income
Universal basic income (UBI) is a system that gives everyone a minimum amount of money regularly, regardless of their income or work status.
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Participants will increase healthcare utilization [5 years]
The receipt of the Universal Basic Income (UBI) will increase healthcare utilization among Black men with or without a prior history of incarceration.
- Participants will improve health status [5 years]
The receipt of the Universal Basic Income (UBI) will increase healthcare utilization among Black men with or without a prior history of incarceration which will lead to improved health status among them.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Number of participants who receive HIV care [2 years]
The primary HIV outcome is receipt of HIV care, which the investigators define as having at least one HIV viral load and/or CD4 count laboratory test within the six-month period of study enrollment during which the UBI intervention will be implemented at the same period.
- Number of participants who achieve medication adherence [2 years]
Another HIV outcomes is HIV medication adherence. This is defined as taking medication(s) as instructed by a health care provider.
- Participants increase HIV care [2 years]
Another outcome for the HIV supplement is retention in HIV care. The investigators define retention in HIV care as having two CD4 or viral load tests performed at least three months apart).
- Viral suppression increase among the participants [1 year]
The third outcome for the HIV supplement is viral suppression. This is defined as having a viral load test result of <200 copies/mL).
- Participants reduce HIV risk behavior [1 year]
The last outcome is to reduce HIV risk behaviors, including both unprotected sex and substance use.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Participants must:
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be at least 45 years old if not HIV-seropositive or be at least 25 years old if HIV-seropositive;
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self-report as having received from a medical professional a diagnosis for at least one chronic health condition (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, HIV, cancer, etc);
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be within 6 months of release from a correctional setting in Arkansas at the time of enrollment (only for those participants with a history of incarceration which will comprise half of the sample population for Aim 2);
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be able to understand and speak English and to provide written and verbal informed consent;
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plan to remain in the central Arkansas area for the duration of the study period;
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be willing and able to provide bi-weekly information about all activities related to seeking employment and to share financial and income-related information with the study team;
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self-identify as Black or African American;
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have been assigned the male gender at birth;
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be willing to provide medical releases to allow project staff to access healthcare records;
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not be currently engaged in healthcare services (defined as not having attended a primary or specialty medical care visit in the past 12 months (excluding any visits to the emergency department or rooms or urgent care clinics in the last 12 months); and
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have a median annual income up to 400% of the federal poverty threshold (the federal poverty threshold is defined as an annual income of less than $12,760 for single adults or $17,240 if a married couple files jointly) in the 12-month period prior to study enrollment or prior to their most current episode of incarceration.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Arkansas
Investigators
- Study Director: Ashley Williams, MSHS, University of Arkansas
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 274097