Nature Human Behaviour · 8 September 2026 · From issue 34
Effects of a randomized controlled trial of unconditional cash transfers on epigenetic measures of ageing and cognition in children and mothers
Extra monthly cash to poor mothers slightly slowed a chemical marker of aging in their kids.
Laurel Raffington, Yayouk E. Willems et al.
Giving low income mothers more monthly cash slowed down a chemical marker of aging in their young children. Kids in families that got 333 dollars a month, instead of 20 dollars, showed a small drop in this marker. The extra cash did not change a separate marker linked to thinking skills. Mothers themselves showed no changes in either marker.
The change in a child's DNA-based aging pace marker linked to higher monthly cash gifts.
Children only, effect small, long-term health impact still unknown.
Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 6 October 2026. Retraction record: none. DOI resolves at doi.org. Metadata record found (Nature Human Behaviour). Read the source
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