The California HIV/AIDS Policy Research Center (CHPRC) in collaboration with the Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services (CHIPTS) shared some newly published findings that are both exciting and impactful to efforts of ending the HIV epidemic and beyond. This published paper and accompanying infographic, is the first to examine the relationship between a state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and HIV risk behaviors among single mothers in the United States.
The Journal of AIDS & Behavior published a paper authored by Drs. Kimberly Narain, MD, PhD and Nina Harawa, PhD, MPH, entitled “Evidence for the Role of State-Level Economic Policy in HIV Risk Reduction: State Earned Income Tax Credit Generosity and HIV Risk Behavior Among Single Mothers.” The paper looks at the generosity of the state Earned Income Tax Credit in the United States and HIV risks behavior among single mothers.
In the United States, the generosity of each state’s EITC differs from each other, with many states lacking an EITC. In states with more generous EITCs, the study found, HIV risk behaviors decreased significantly in single mothers compared with single mothers in other states with less generous EITCs. The effect of a refundable state EITC on HIV risk behavior was what we would expect for two or more hours of intensive HIV risk-reduction counseling, an intervention few low-income single mothers can readily access.
These findings demonstrate the impact of anti-poverty policy interventions: the straightforward act of distributing cash aid to those in need. These policies became more common during the pandemic, but have expired in many cases. For example, the monthly Child Tax Credit which lifted millions of children from poverty (source). Additionally, a reduction in HIV risk behaviors lowers the risk for other ailments such as pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, and liver cancer.
The published paper may be accessed by following this link. Additionally, CHIPTS has created an accompanying infographic, in collaboration with the California HIV/AIDS Policy Research Center (CHPRC). The infographic entitled “HIV Risk Reduction & Earned Income Tax Credit, ” provides insight on the following:
- What is an EITC, and which states provide it?
- What is the difference between refundable and non-refundable EITC, and why is this important?
- How generous does a state EITC have to be to reduce HIV risk behaviors?
- What other risk behaviors are reduced by cash assistance programs like EITC?
Note: The finding of a negative association between state Earned Income Tax Credit generosity and a composite measure of HIV risk behavior is particularly important given that the population observed in this study is at high risk for contracting HIV.
Please find a copy of the infographic and additional resources, available for download below:
- Infographic: HIV Risk Reduction & Earned Income Tax Credit - Infographic
- Publication: SpringerLink
- Website: https://www.chprc.org/
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NEW Infographic from @CHIPTS and @ca_hiv_policyrc: Single mothers in U.S. states with more a generous Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) engaged in significantly less #HIV risk behaviors compared to those in states with less generous (or nonexistent) EITCs, demonstrating the benefits of #antipoverty policy.
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NEW Infographic from @CHIPTS and @ca_hiv_policyrc: Single mothers in U.S. states with more generous Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) engaged in significantly less #HIV risk behaviors compared to those in states with less generous (or nonexistent) EITCs. The effect of a refundable state EITC on HIV risk behavior was what we would expect for two or more hours of intensive HIV risk-reduction counseling, an intervention few low-income single mothers can readily access. This finding demonstrates the impact of #antipoverty policy.