Individual Author(s) / Organizational Author
Grayer, Daria C.
Cassidy, Diane M.
Orgera, Kendal
Alvarado, Carla S.
Alberti, Phillip M.
Publisher
The AAMC Center For Health Justice
Date
November 2022
Abstract / Description
This report examines the impact of the lack of a national paid family leave program on maternal health disparities in the U.S. It highlights how the absence of paid leave contributes to poor health outcomes, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities and low-income women. The analysis, based on 2020 data from the CDC’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), reveals that White women are more likely to take paid leave compared to Black and Hispanic women, and that lower-income women are more likely to take unpaid or no leave.
These disparities in paid leave access are linked to higher rates of postpartum depression among Black women. The report argues that implementing a national paid leave program could improve maternal health, reduce racial and socioeconomic inequities, and provide economic benefits for both individuals and communities. It calls for routine mental health screenings, better data collection, and increased community engagement to address these issues effectively.
Artifact Type
Reference Type