Programs that give money directly to individuals are becoming more common across the United States. Still, they continue to draw criticism. Some skeptics argue that providing cash with no restrictions could encourage harmful behavior. They claim recipients might quickly spend the money on alcohol or drugs, potentially increasing the risk of injury or death.
A new 11-year study of Alaska’s long-running cash transfer program challenges those concerns. Researchers found no evidence that direct cash payments increase the likelihood of traumatic injury or death.
The study was conducted by researchers from New York University, the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, and Alaska’s former chief medical officer. The findings were published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
“Past research has…