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Maternal and Child Health Journal

Published in:

31-01-2024

The Impacts of New York State’s Paid Family Leave Policy on Parents’ Sleep and Exercise

Authors: Taryn W. Morrissey, Neko Michelle Castleberry, Aparna Soni

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 6/2024

Abstract

Objectives

To assess changes in young parents’ health behaviors following implementation of New York State’s Paid Family Leave Program (NYSPFL).

Methods

We used synthetic control (N = 117,552) and difference-in-differences (N = 18,973) models with data from the nationally representative Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2011 to 2019 to provide individual-level estimates of the effects of NYSPFL on self-reported exercise in the past month and average daily sleep of adults aged 21–30 years living with one or more children under 18 years of age in New York and comparison states.

Results

Synthetic control model results indicate that the NYSPFL increased the likelihood of exercise in the past month among mothers, single parents, and low-income parents by 6.3–10.3% points (pp), whereas fathers showed a decrease in exercise (7.8 pp). Fathers, single parents, and those with two or more children showed increases in daily sleep between 14 and 21 min per day.

Conclusions for practice

State paid family and medical leave laws may provide benefits for health behaviors among young parents with children under 18, particularly those in low-income and single-parent households.

Available only for authorised users

A temporary expansion of federally-supported paid sick and family leave benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic expired in December 2020.

For the regulations surrounding the FMLA, see: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-V/subchapter-C/part-825.

For more detail about FMLA leave for medical conditions, see: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/28p-taking-leave-when-you-or-family-has-health-condition.

For the legislative text, see: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S2928.

We exclude data in 2020 and after due to major COVID-19 pandemic related changes in mental health, labor market conditions, and health behaviors during this period.

The BRFSS asks respondents about total number of children under age 18 living in household; unfortunately it does not collect information on the specific age of children.

Unfortunately, the BRFSS only started collecting sleep information in 2013 (after California’s program was implemented), but more research comparing state programs is needed.

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Title: The Impacts of New York State’s Paid Family Leave Policy on Parents’ Sleep and Exercise
Authors: Taryn W. Morrissey
Neko Michelle Castleberry
Aparna Soni
Publication date: 31-01-2024
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 6/2024
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-024-03899-2

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The Impacts of New York State’s Paid Family Leave Policy on Parents’ Sleep and Exercise

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions for practice

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions for practice

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