Paid family leave and child well-being: new policy affects families and kids
Official title: CE25-025 - Effectiveness of Paid Family and Medical Leave Policies and Policy Components on Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention, Positive Childhood Experiences Promotion and Health Equity
Funded at Tufts Medical Center · NIH-11423377 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study will look at whether paid family and medical leave helps prevent bad childhood experiences and promotes positive ones, especially in communities that often face inequities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2025 |
| Project end | September 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $449,743 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CE003746-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423377 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Any child and family affected by caregiver leave policies in states considering PFML or that have implemented PFML.
✕Less likely to help
Families in states without PFML policies or those not impacted by leave timing may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will analyze how paid family and medical leave policies influence families and children, using real-world data from states that have implemented or are planning PFML programs. Researchers will compare outcomes before and after PFML adoption, focusing on two negative experiences (ACE types) and two positive experiences (PCEs) in children, while checking for differences across communities. The study will also test robustness with a placebo analysis to ensure findings aren’t due to other factors.Results could guide policies to support families, promote healthy child development, and reduce health inequities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform policies that reduce childhood adversity and improve protective experiences for children, with potential long-term health and social benefits.
How similar studies have gone: There is existing evidence on PFML effects; this study builds on that with stricter causal methods (DiD and triple-differences).
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burstein, Dina — Tufts Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Burstein, Dina
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.