Document Type
Capstone Experience
Graduation Date
12-2021
Degree Name
Master of Public Health
Department
Health Services Research & Administration
First Committee Member
Dr. Jungyoon Kim
Second Committee Member
Dr. David W. Palm
Third Committee Member
Dr. Brandon Grimm
Abstract
The COVID pandemic is providing many public health and health policy learning opportunities to identify disparities among women, minorities, and underserved/distressed populations and inform subsequent policy-level strategies. It is recommended people stay home when they are sick; yet, not all people have access to paid sick leave. Individuals are left with the unfortunate decision to lose pay or go to work when they are ill. This is disconcerting in any given year with the annual flu illness and other communicable diseases; however, especially concerning during the COVID pandemic given the high virus transmissibility. Paid sick leave is not universally accessible at a federal level yet was a temporary solution to bridge this gap during COVID. This literature review aims to provide additional context for state and federal legislation of a paid sick leave policy with findings thematically organized. Furthermore, the review proposes a cross-sectional study to identify specific disparities in working-age adults in the rural Nebraska Panhandle to accessing paid sick leave, increasing the evidence-base of public health, and informing a long-term state and/or federal paid sick leave strategy.
Recommended Citation
Davies, Jessica, "A literature review of paid sick leave and disparate populations in the United States during the COVID pandemic" (2021). Capstone Experience. 166.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_slce/166