A small but growing body of research explores the relationship between higher income resulting from EITC benefits and improved health outcomes. This research has generally focused on maternal and child health outcomes because the vast majority of EITC benefits accrue to families with young children.  We know, for instance, that increases in the federal EITC have been shown to reduce rates of low birth weight and preterm birth.  In addition, studies show that the EITC may reverse declines in life expectancy among low-income communities and EITC recipients buy more healthy food during the months when refunds are paid. A new report in Social Science and Medicine focuses on state-level tax credits and finds that state-level EITC generosity is associated with improved birth outcomes.

What does this mean for philanthropy? How are funders thinking about the intersect between the EITC and health outcomes, and what strategies are being employed to further this work?

Join the EITC Funders Network and Grantmakers in Health (GIH) for a one-hour webinar  - Improving Health Outcomes by Connecting to the EITC: A Conversation for Funders - on July 26th, 2018 at 2pm EDT to learn more about the body of research connecting the EITC to positive health outcomes and the ways in which health funders and economic opportunity funders are engaging in this intersect.

Speakers include:

• Kelli Komro, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
• Padmini Parthasarathy, The California Wellness Foundation
• Ria Pugeda, Consumer Health Foundation