Pediatric RISE: Development of a Poverty-Targeted Cash Support Intervention for Pediatric Cancer

• Published in: Blood 2024-11, Vol.144 (Supplement 1), p.402-402
• Main Authors: Kelly, Colleen A., Paul, Morgan A., Kellett, Jennifer, Kang, Sunyu, Revette, Anna, Aziz-Bose, Rahela, Duhaney, Leanne, Umaretiya, Puja J., Hanson, Erika, Bona, Kira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood-2024-210754

Introduction: Poverty is associated with inferior outcomes across the care continuum in pediatric hematologic malignancies despite highly standardized treatment (Winestone, PBC 2023). Evidence-based supportive care interventions targeting poverty in pediatric oncology as a risk factor for outcome disparities are lacking. Unrestricted direct cash transfer programs, such as the Child Tax Credit, are feasible, reduce income poverty, and improve child health outcomes (Shafer, JAMA NO 2022). We aimed to pilot and refine Pediatric RISE (Resource Intervention to Support Equity), the first direct cash transfer intervention in pediatric oncology, as a novel supportive care health equity intervention. Methods: We conducted a single-arm, mixed-methods pilot study of RISE among children with newly diagnosed (de novo malignancy in prior 2 months) or advanced (relapsed/progressive disease in prior 2 months) cancer at a single, large academic center. Eligible children were Massachusetts residents, had initiated cancer care with planned receipt of ≥4 months of cancer-directed therapy, and lived in parent-reported low-income households (