Why Paid Family and Medical Leave Matters for the Future of America's Families, Businesses and Economy

Matern Child Health J. 2016 Nov;20(Suppl 1):8-12. doi: 10.1007/s10995-016-2186-7.

Abstract

Paid family and medical leave are vital public policies for promoting large-scale improvements in maternal and child health that can boost our national economy. That is why MomsRising-a national on-the-ground and online grassroots organization with over a million members across the United States-is thrilled by the growing momentum for paid family and medical leave. We are not the least bit surprised that support for this critical policy is growing. The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world without paid family and medical leave, and the fact that these basic workplace protections are missing hurts America's global competitiveness, businesses, economy, and, most importantly, infant and maternal mortality rates.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Family leave; Maternal health; Medical leave; Paid maternity leave; Paternity leave.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Feeding*
  • Child
  • Commerce*
  • Family Leave*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Maternal Health
  • Organizational Policy*
  • Public Policy*
  • Salaries and Fringe Benefits
  • United States
  • Women, Working / statistics & numerical data*
  • Workplace