Free groceries for a year: new study tests if food support keeps kids out of the hospital

NCT ID NCT06560229

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study is testing whether giving low-income families monthly $100 grocery gift cards for a year can reduce food insecurity and lower the chance that a child will need to return to the hospital after being discharged. About 400 families with a child admitted to Cincinnati Children's Hospital will take part. Families in the gift card group will receive the cards for 12 months and complete surveys over 18 months to track their food situation and healthcare use.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

grocery gift card

What this could lead to

If it works, this could show that providing food support helps low-income families recover after a hospital stay and reduces the need for return visits.

What could go wrong

This is a relatively small, early-stage study focused on one hospital system, so results may not apply broadly. The intervention is only food support, so it may not address other factors affecting recovery.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States