Basic income - healthy outcome? Effects on health of an Indian basic income pilot project: a cluster randomised trial

This article evaluates the effects on health of a basic income (BI) pilot project in Madhya Pradesh, India, between 2011 and 2012. BI can be defined as a non-contributory, universal and unconditional cash transfer paid out on an individual basis. The project was conducted as a cluster randomised trial involving 2034 households. Three health outcomes were examined: minor illnesses and injuries, illness and injuries requiring hospitalisation, and child vaccination coverage. The data were analysed with multiple imputation, propensity score matching and weighted logistic regression. BI was seen to significantly reduce the odds of minor illnesses and injuries by 46per cent. No effect was seen on more serious illnesses and injuries, at least not in the time scale given, nor on child vaccination coverage which was already exceptionally high. Policymakers are encouraged to consider BI as an equitable policy of social protection, though further research on its impact on health is desirable.