What the Research Says About Paid Leave
Additional Resources on the Need for Paid Leave in America
Making the Case for Paid Family Leave: The research brief from Drexel University provides an in-depth overview of the background of paid family leave, exploring its effects on health, relationships, and the broader impact on businesses and communities. Research consistently demonstrates that paid family leave programs have a beneficial effect on the mental, physical, and financial health of both adults and children (Shaak, 2023).
Population Health and Paid Parental Leave: What the United States Can Learn from Two Decades of Research: A study published in Healthcare examines the impact of paid parental leave on population health in the United States. Research indicates that access to paid leave is associated with lower infant and child mortality rates. Additionally, paid leave supports breastfeeding and immunization practices, reduces maternal stress and depression, and decreases the risk of preterm births. In summary, implementing paid parental leave policies could significantly improve public health and address existing health inequities (Burtle & Bezruchka, 2016).
Paid Parental Leave: A Statement of Policy: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognizes paid parental leave as an essential policy, advocating for at least eight weeks of full pay and benefits (ACOG, 2020).
Length of Maternity Leave Impact on Mental and Physical Health of Mothers and Infants, a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: An analysis of 21 studies revealed that extended maternity leave contributes to better mental and physical health for mothers, enhances mother-child bonding, lowers infant mortality rates, and promotes longer breastfeeding. The findings suggest that a minimum of 12 weeks of maternity leave offers significant benefits for both mothers and their babies (Whitney et al., 2023).
Paid Family and Medical Leave Improves the Well-Being of Children and Families: The Society for Research in Child Development's Child Evidence Brief highlights the increasing necessity for paid family and medical leave in the United States, given the evolving dynamics of American families. It points to evidence from states and countries with paid leave laws, demonstrating how these policies strengthen family finances, encourage father involvement, and improve health outcomes for mothers, infants, and children (Waldfogel, Doran, & Pac, 2019).
Paid Parental Leave in the United States: What the data tell us about access, usage, and economic and health benefits: This paper from the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) discusses the lack of universal paid parental leave in the U.S. and its impact on families. It reviews both domestic and international policies, highlighting the economic and health benefits of paid parental leave. The paper advocates for federal legislation to create a paid leave system, aligning the U.S. with other developed nations that offer paid leave to parents, improving outcomes for both workers and employers (Gault et al., 2020).
You can also find more resources in our blog post, "12 Key Facts About Paid Leave."