The Urban Institute is engaging in a five-year research collaboration with the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN), a nonprofit organization that works to ensure all children, families, and individuals can access the basic material needs they require to thrive. The project launched in August 2024.

Project Goals

In years 1 and 2, the research team will plan and execute a research agenda that leverages existing survey data, including The Diaper Check 2023 and 2024— nationally representative studies commissioned by NDBN in partnership with YouGov—and NDBN’s Annual Member Survey of more than 300 basic needs banks across the country. The research will employ Urban’s analytic tools, including microsimulation models and the Spatial Equity Data Tool, to produce evidence on the following:

• the prevalence and impacts of diaper need, period poverty, and the use and reach of basic needs banks
• geographic equities in access to basic needs banks
• simulations on the health, social, and economic impacts of reductions in diaper insecurity and menstrual product insecurity

In years 3 through 5, the research team will plan and execute one or more impact studies that examine the added value of distributing diaper supplies to families with young children who are participating in economic mobility interventions.

Research Advisory Council

The project formed a research advisory council that includes individuals with lived experience as well as researchers and practitioners in the areas of financial security programs, early childhood, and basic material needs. Ongoing engagements with the council shape the research agenda and dissemination efforts and provide an opportunity to share new evidence with key decisionmakers to inform the field. The advisory council members are listed below.

Winter Berry
State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Kels Bowman
Duke University, Sanford School of Public Policy

Cristi Carman
Stanford Center on Early Childhood

Eileen Condon
University of Connecticut School of Nursing and School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics

Allie Gardner
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Andrea Luquetta
Pa’lante Collaborative Strategies

Kelley Massengale
National Diaper Bank Network

Jessica Norton
JRNR Consulting, LLC

David Radcliffe
Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy

Gayle Shipp
Michigan State University, Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, Pediatric Public Health Initiative

Megan Smith
National Diaper Bank Network

Sarahn Wheeler
Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Products and Events

• Mapping Diaper Insecurity in the US
• Nearly 8 Million US Children Live in Families That Struggle to Afford Enough Diapers
• The Impacts of Diaper Insecurity and Period Product Insecurity: Producing Evidence for the Future
• Amid Stubborn Inflation, Proposed Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP Would Negatively Affect Young Families’ Budgets and Well-Being 

Key Staff

Heather Sandstrom
Madeline Brown
Leandra Lacy
Mingli Zhong
Alavi Rashid