What's New
A program is being trialed in Philadelphia that will offer financial support to people during pregnancy.
The Philly Joy Bank program will give $1,000 per month to 250 Philadelphia residents, from the pregnant person's second trimester up to the baby's first birthday.
Newsweek has reached out to the Philadelphia Joy Bank via email for comment outside of normal working hours.
Why It Matters
In 2024, the U.S. birth rate hit an all-time low.
Insights from the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that there were only 54.5 births for every 1,000 females aged 15 to 44 in 2023, the lowest figure on record and 3 percent down from the 2022 birth rate.
Since 2007, the birth rate has decreased by 17 percent. Fertility rates have fallen by 21 percent.
What to Know
The Philly Joy Bank was established by the Philadelphia Community Action Network (CAN) and first launched in June. It will offer support to 250 pregnant Philadelphians.
In order to be eligible, residents must be pregnant and have a household income of under $100,000 annually and they also have to be residents of one of three Philadelphia neighbourhoods: Cobbs Creek, Strawberry Mansion of Nicetown-Tioga.
According to data from the Department of Public Health, Philadelphia has a high rate of infant mortality; it's 40 percent higher than the national rate. Black infants are over three times more likely to die before their first birthday than white infants.
Black and Hispanic people are the top two ethnic groups likely to be disproportionately impacted in categories related to child deaths, including prematurity, perinatal conditions and sleep-related deaths.
According to the Philly Joy Bank's website, the programme aims to improve birth outcomes by focusing on populations in the city which are most vulnerable to poor outcomes.
In addition to the financial assistance, Philadelphia Joy will offer voluntary assistance, including financial counselling, home visits, doula help and lactation support.
Newsweek contacted a representative of Philadelphia's City Council outside of normal working hours via email for comment.
What People Are Saying
A quote shared on the Philly Joy Bank website says that: "Philly Joy Bank does not want to know everything about your lifestyle. They just want to give you the support that you need."
In a quote shared with the publication Whyy, Dr. Stacey Kallem, director of the Philadelphia Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health, said: "Alleviating financial stress during pregnancy can have real and positive impacts on birth outcomes. And the way to alleviate financial stress is actually pretty simple - you give people cash."
Newsweek reached out to the Philadelphia Department of Health outside of normal working hours via an online form for comment.
What Happens Next
As the U.S. moves to combat falling birth rates, similar measures may come into place in other states and cities.
Newsweek contacted a representative of Philadelphia's municipal authorities outside of normal working hours via email for comment.
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