biostudies-literatureNandi AUCLA Public HealthCanadian Institutes of Health ResearchCIHRCanada Research Chairs434-471https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6131347biostudies-literatureUnknown96(3)Policy Points: Historically, reforms that have increased the duration of job-protected paid parental leave have improved women's economic outcomes. By targeting the period around childbirth, access to paid parental leave also appears to reduce rates of infant mortality, with breastfeeding representing one potential mechanism. The provision of more generous paid leave entitlements in countries that offer unpaid or short durations of paid leave could help families strike a balance between the competing demands of earning income and attending to personal and family well-being.<h4>Context</h4>Policies legislating paid leave from work for new parents, and to attend to individual and family illness, are common across Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. HoweveThe Milbank quarterlyThe Impact of Parental and Medical Leave Policies on Socioeconomic and Health Outcomes in OECD Countries: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature.PMC6131347ROH-115209ROH‐115209FRN 1484671915 UA132Labrecque JAVincent IHarper SHeymann SJStrumpf ECKaufman JSNandi ADimitris MCAtabay EJahagirdar DEarle AfalseThe Impact of Parental and Medical Leave Policies on Socioeconomic and Health Outcomes in OECD Countries: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature.Policy Points: Historically, reforms that have increased the duration of job-protected paid parental leave have improved women's economic outcomes. By targeting the period around childbirth, access to paid parental leave also appears to reduce rates of infant mortality, with breastfeeding representing one potential mechanism. The provision of more generous paid leave entitlements in countries that offer unpaid or short durations of paid leave could help families strike a balance between the competing demands of earning income and attending to personal and family well-being.<h4>Context</h4>Policies legislating paid leave from work for new parents, and to attend to individual and family illness, are common across Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Howeve2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Sep2025-04-26T12:06:25.122Z2019-09-04T07:02:29ZS-EPMC61313473027760110.1111/1468-0009.12340