IGNITE For Kids
topic area
Maternal, Infant, and Child Health
grant recipients
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn Medicine
about
Black children in the United States fare worse across nearly every health indicator, a disadvantage that starts before birth and results in stark racial gaps in child health and well-being; these disparities persist into adulthood. In Philadelphia, Black adults have higher rates of premature cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health conditions, and face higher rates of community violence, poverty, as well as racism and discrimination in healthcare settings. The IGNITE for Kids study was developed to address these interconnected challenges through a comprehensive, multi-level intervention that targets both neighborhood-level environmental improvements and household-level economic supports.
The IGNITE for Kids study evolved from the original NIH-funded IGNITE randomized controlled trial, which focuses on improving health outcomes among Black adults through economic and environmental interventions. Recognizing the profound racial disparities in child health and the potential intergenerational benefits of environmental and economic interventions, the research team identified an urgent need to adapt and expand this study to examine the effects of these interventions on child and adolescent health. This expansion was made possible with funding from Independence Blue Cross, AmeriHealth Caritas, and Accelerate Health Equity.
The study aims to tackle environmental and economic factors that contribute to persistent racial health disparities. By targeting these upstream determinants of health and addressing inequities rooted in structural racism, the IGNITE for Kids team strives to improve the overall health and well-being of Black children and their families. This project, which will conclude in 2025, provides AHE and our partners the opportunity to gather evidence and test large-scale interventions that could be scaled across Philadelphia for maximum impact.
impact
Over 220 households were connected to financial resources through trusted partners at Clarifi, Benefits Data Trust, and Campaign for Working Families, impacting nearly 450 school-age children in Philadelphia through the study’s economic intervention
More than 5,200 bags of litter have been picked up, 300 trees have been planted, and 66 vacant lots have been greened in Philadelphia through the study’s economic interventions.
status
The IGNITE for Kids team has conducted more than 20 qualitative interviews to gather participants’ perspectives on how neighborhood environments and economic circumstances affect children’s health. The IGNITE for Kids team has also collected 2-year follow-up data for 69 adult study participants and 45 children living in their households — this data will be crucial in evaluating the impact of the interventions on child health outcomes. As of Spring 2025, this data is currently being analyzed to assess how the IGNITE for Kids interventions have influenced child health and well-being.
looking ahead
Ultimately, the study’s goal is to continue to test and identify evidence-based strategies that can be scaled to other cities and communities, providing a blueprint for addressing racial health disparities at their root causes. By improving neighborhoods and increasing families’ economic opportunity, IGNITE for Kids is working toward a future where all children, regardless of their race or zip code, have the opportunity to thrive.
project leads
Aditi Vasan, MD, MSHP
Eugenia South, MD, MSHP
Atheendar Venkataramani, MD, PhD
funding sources
Accelerate Health Equity, AmeriHealth Caritas, Independence Blue Cross, National Institutes of Health