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.

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