Economic factors moderate the association of low income with brain structure & mental health in kids

State-level macro-economic factors moderate the association of low income with brain structure and mental health in U.S. children, in Nature Communications

key takeaway: "Lower income was associated with smaller hippocampal volume and higher internalizing psychopathology. These associations were stronger in states with higher cost of living. However, in high cost of living states that provide more generous cash benefits for low-income families, socioeconomic disparities in hippocampal volume were reduced by 34%, such that the association of family income with hippocampal volume resembled that in the lowest cost of living states. We observed similar patterns for internalizing psychopathology."

NIDA press release