A new clinical trial is underway to investigate whether providing food support to low-income families enrolled in a Medicaid Accountable Care Organization can improve outcomes for pediatric patients. The study, titled "Giving Resources to lOw-income Children to Enhance RecoverY" (Clinical Trial Identifier: NCT06560229), aims to determine if monthly grocery gift cards can reduce food insecurity and decrease healthcare utilization among this vulnerable population.
The trial, conducted by Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, will randomize families to either an intervention group receiving monthly $100 grocery gift cards for one year or a control group receiving standard care. Participants will complete surveys at baseline, 14 days post-discharge, and quarterly for up to 18 months to assess food insecurity using the USDA 6-question survey, healthcare utilization, recovery, ability to pay for medications, and parenting stress.
The primary outcome measures include reutilization (unplanned readmission, emergency department visits, or urgent care visits) and food insecurity, measured at 30 days, 90 days, and quarterly up to 20 months post-discharge. Secondary outcomes include primary care healthcare utilization, vaccine uptake, recovery and return to normal routine, post-discharge difficulty coping, and ability to pay for medications.
The study aims to enroll 400 participants who are parents of pediatric patients admitted to one of two units at the hospital with HealthVine insurance. Exclusion criteria include previous study participation. The primary completion date for the trial is estimated to be July 31, 2026.
Significance of the Study
Food insecurity is a significant problem among low-income families, and it can have a detrimental impact on children's health. This study will provide valuable insights into whether providing food support can improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for this population. The results of this trial could inform policy decisions and lead to the implementation of similar interventions in other healthcare settings.
Trial Design
The study is an interventional trial with a randomized, parallel design. The intervention consists of monthly $100 grocery gift cards for 12 months. Data will be collected through surveys and medical record review.
