February 2021 – This article published in Children and Youth Services Review shares research that examines the benefits of the Healthy Baby Prenatal Benefit (HBPB) on birth and early childhood outcomes for the Metis population in Manitoba, Canada.
A modest unconditional prenatal benefit provided to low-income Metis women was associated with improved birth outcomes and child vaccinations; however, an association with increased large-for-gestational-age births may warrant further exploration. Lack of significant associations between HBPB and child development measures suggests more sustained support may be necessary to improve longer-term outcomes.