North Haven, Connecticut, March 1, 2018 -
The Diaper Bank of Connecticut today launched a new report that confirms that babies’ overall health improves when families living in poverty receive diapers and that, without diapers, parents miss work much more frequently.
The report, “
Better Health for Children and Increased Opportunities for Families
,” was prepared by the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA), a University Center located within the School of Business at the University of Connecticut. Additional economic impact of The Diaper Banks work includes an eleven-fold increase in personal income for every dollar invested in diaper assistance.
In addition, the report’s findings include:
·
A majority of families receiving diapers (51%) have jobs.
·
More than 60 percent of families receiving diapers are in acute need of support, as they earn less than $20,000 per year.
·
Providing diapers to families helps eliminate $4.3 million in medical costs due to reductions in both incidences and days of diaper rash.
·
Providing diapers, today, increases state tax revenues—personal income tax and sales tax—immediately and through 2031.
“Very clearly, babies and their families are much better off when families are provided with reliable supplies of diapers,” said Janet Stolfi Alfano, executive director of The Diaper Bank of Connecticut. “The health and economic indicators of providing diapers to families are unambiguously positive.”
“This study stands upon the growing body of peer-reviewed academic research on diaper need and its impact on children and families,” said Joanne Goldblum, CEO of the National Diaper Bank Network, and the founder of The Diaper Bank of Connecticut. “Truth be told, we were surprised by the magnitude of the economic impact on both families and the state, especially over time. We’ve always said, ‘Small things impact big things,’ and because of this study we’re able to quantify just how big.
