Associations between maternal workplace attributes and pediatric preventive care in children aged 0 to 17

Background: Maternal workplace attributes may be associated with receipt of pediatric preventive care by promoting time and monetary flexibility for families. This study assesses workplace attributes as predictors of compliance with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended clinical preventive service schedule. Further, we test whether this association is influenced by socio-economic characteristics. Methods: Using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from the years 2009-2011 we will conduct an instrumental variable analysis to examine whether number of hours worked, paid leave, and schedule flexibility are associated with receipt of recommended well child visits, general dental exams and the influenza vaccine among a representative sample of US children aged 0 to 17 years. Results: We hypothesize that children of women who have workplace attributes that off-set the time and monetary costs of seeking preventive care will be more likely to have received the recommended services in the past year. Further, we expect that maternal education level, maternal marital status, and family income will modify these associations. Conclusions: This project contributes information about a relatively understudied, but significant research question about child health. Further, we examine a potentially important determinant of health inequalities for children, specifically, whether children from low SES backgrounds experience worse health outcomes due to restrictive maternal workplace attributes than their more advantaged peers. The research has important implications for federal policy and advocacy related to regulations that protect female workers and their families.