The Effect of Paid Family Leave on Infant and Parental Health in the United States

Lindsey Rose Bullinger

Journal of Health Economics, 2019, vol. 66, issue C, 101-116

Abstract: California’s paid family leave (PFL) policy improved mothers’ labor market outcomes, however, the health impacts of this program are less studied. I compare child and parental health of likely eligible households to a series of control groups before and after California’s PFL program was implemented. I find improvements in parent-reported overall child health and suggestive improvements in maternal mental health status. Findings also suggest a reduction in asthma and a greater likelihood that parents feel they are coping well with the day-to-day demands of parenting. There are no significant effects on respiratory or food allergies, or father’s mental health status. The results are robust to multiple control groups and placebo tests.

Keywords: paid family leave; child health; parental mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I14 I18 J88 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (29)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:66:y:2019:i:c:p:101-116

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2019.05.006

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