Highlighted Publications




 

Uzzi et al. (2025) examine whether neighborhood conditions shaped by past redlining and present-day racialized economic segregation are associated with fatal opioid overdose deaths. They analyze census-tract–level data from Chicago, combining Cook County Medical Examiner overdose records with historical redlining maps and contemporary census data from 2017–2019 and 2020–2022. They find that neighborhoods experiencing high levels of disadvantage in the past and/or present had

Wang et al. (2026) ask whether state adoption of broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) increases SNAP participation, and how much of that increase comes from newly eligible versus already eligible households. They analyze state-level SNAP participation from 1996–2016 using administrative SNAP Quality Control data combined with state policy and economic data. Using a difference-in-differences design that allows effects to vary over time and across states, they find that B

Anders and Rafkin (2025) examine whether expanding SNAP income-eligibility limits increases program use among households that were already eligible. Using administrative SNAP Quality Control data from 1996–2016, they track state-level changes in eligibility thresholds and their effect on participation. They find that a 10-percentage-point increase in the income limit raises take-up among always-eligible households by about 1–2 percent. For every newly eligible person who enro

This study asked whether federal and state Universal Free School Meal (UFSM) policies increased student participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Using school-level meal claims from 25 U.S. states between 2019 and 2024, the authors conducted a difference-in-difference analysis. They found that federal UFSM policies during the COVID-19 pandemic raised participation by 10 percentage points for lunches and 8 for breakfasts. Whe

This study asked whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during early childhood can protect against the long-term cardiovascular effects of food insecurity. Researchers followed 1,071 children from birth to age 22 using data from the Future of Families–Cardiovascular Health Among Young Adults study. They found that early food insecurity was linked to worse cardiovascular health, with a 2.2-point lower Life’s Essential 8 score and 1.4 time

This study asked whether food insecurity in early childhood is linked to poorer cardiovascular health in young adulthood and whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can reduce these risks. Researchers analyzed data from 1,071 children in the Future of Families–Cardiovascular Health Among Young Adults study, following them from ages 3–5 to about age 22. Early childhood food insecurity was associated with a 2.2-point lower overall Life’s Es

This article asks whether states can affordably implement a targeted, fully refundable Child Tax Credit (CTC) to reduce child poverty....

This study asks how the duration and timing of childhood net worth poverty (NWP)—household wealth below 25% of the federal poverty...

This study investigated whether the Massachusetts Medicaid Flexible Services Program (FSP) reduced food insecurity, housing insecurity,...

This study investigates whether the quality of aid project management affects violent conflict in Africa. Using geo-coded data on all...

This study asks whether long-term economic outcomes are influenced by exposure to peers from wealthier families. Using data from over...

This paper investigates whether increases in local government spending benefit all racial groups equally, focusing on labor market and...

This study examines how the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA) will affect state compliance with federal work requirements under the...

This study investigates how much a child’s birth location causally affects birth weight and early-life health. Using 30 years of...

This study evaluates how effective behavioral interventions—such as reminders, simplification, and personalization—are at increasing the...

This study investigates whether residential racial segregation causally increases homicide victimization among non-white Americans. Using...

This study investigates whether human-centered text message reminders can improve compliance with mandatory interviews and increase SNAP...

The study investigates why the health and human capital of Americans declined after 1947. Using data on wages, educational attainment,...

This study investigates the barriers preventing eligible individuals from taking up social benefits. Using two nationwide experiments in...

This study examines whether skills deteriorate during unemployment and contribute to declining reemployment wages. Using panel data from...