The objective of this study is to better understand healthcare providers’ perspectives on their role in assisting patients who are navigating employment and pregnancy. Specifically, this study aims to explore providers’ views on assisting employed pregnant patients, including perceived barriers and available resources for improved support.  

The objective of this study is to explore knowledge and awareness of Paid Leave Oregon, Oregon's new paid family and medical leave law, and sources of information among low-income Latinas who recently gave birth in Oregon using in-depth interviews.

Collaborators: Anna Steeves-Reece, Lisset Dumet Poma, Dawn Richardson, Will Dow  

This study seeks to understand the ways parental leave policy can protect the mental health of military-connected mothers. Specifically, we will examine the link between parental leave policy and the onset and progression of common mental health conditions, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder.

Collaborators: Stacey Hawkins, Carrie Donoho 

Prenatal care is an important setting in which pregnant patients can learn about needed pregnancy accommodations and maternity leave, but few resources exist to connect patients with work-related information and support. The proposed project seeks to develop and pilot test an innovative web-based app that can be easily shared through the After Visit Summary of an initial prenatal care encounter to guide patients through employment-related decision-making throughout their pregnancies. If successful, this app will provide a tangible resource that clinicians can offer to employed pregnant patients to help them navigate work-related risks.  

As an Oregon BIRCWH K12 scholar, Dr. Goodman conducted a series of studies focused on understanding how work-related barriers to care among low-income pregnant people can be identified and addressed through the health system. Though employment is recognized as a social determinant of health, and clinical healthcare delivery systems are increasingly using screening tools to ask patients about social needs, little research has explored the extent to which employment-related social risk is captured in these screening tools. The BIRCWH also supported a qualitative study about the role healthcare providers play in helping pregnant people navigate work-related challenges.

Related publications:

• Goodman J, Colon M, Cottrell EK, Guise J-M. “Work as a social risk factor in pregnancy: a systematic review of screening practices related to working conditions and family leave among pregnant adults.” Birth 50(1): 32-43 (2022).
• Goodman J, Crawford A, Cottrell EK, Guise JM. “‘How do I prepare for this?’ Patient perspectives on providers’ employment-related support during pregnancy.” Women’s Health Issues (2024).
• Colon M & Goodman J. “Screening for Employment in Clinical Healthcare Delivery Systems: A Content Analysis.” BMC Health Services Research (2024). 

Dr. Goodman co-led (with Dr. Will Dow, UC Berkeley) a 3-year evaluation to study the impact of San Francisco’s Paid Parental Leave Ordinance (PPLO) on both new parents and employers.

Related pulbications:

• Goodman J, Elser H, Dow W. “Among Low-Income Women in San Francisco, Low Awareness of Paid Parental Leave Benefits Inhibits Take-Up.” Health Affairs 39(7): 1157-1165, (2020).
• Goodman J, Elser H, Dow W. “Employer-Reported Access to Paid Parental Leave: A Study of San Francisco’s Paid Parental Leave Ordinance.” SSM-Population Health 11, (2020).
• Goodman JM, Williams C, Dow WH. “Racial differences in paid parental leave access.” Health Equity 5:1, 738-749 (2021).
• Elser H, Williams C, Dow WH, Goodman J. “Access to Paid Parental Leave by Industry Sector and Occupational Class in the Bay Area Parental Leave Survey of Mothers.” SSM-Population Health 118:1-11 (2022).
• Karasek D, Raifman S, Dow WH, Hamad R, Goodman JM. “Evaluating the effect of San Francisco’s Paid Parental Leave Ordinance on birth outcomes.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(19): 11962 (2022).
• Dumet LM, Dow WH, Karasek D, Franck L, Goodman J. “Barriers to Accessing Paid Parental Leave among Birthing Parents with Perinatal Health Complications: A Multiple-Methods Study.” Women’s Health Issues (2024). 

The purpose of this study was to document existing labor policies and programs that promote, protect, and support lactation among informally employed women in Mexico. This study had three specific aims: 1) Characterize informally employed women in Mexico; 2) Identify labor policies and programs – existing and potential - to support lactation among informally employed women in Mexico; and 3) Document the barriers to uptake of existing and potential labor policies and programs to support lactation among informally employed women in Mexico. To achieve these aims, we conducted a series of in-depth interviews with key informants representing governmental agencies, nonprofits, and academia.

Related publications:

• Goodman J, Lara-Mejía V, Hernández-Cordero S, Vilar-Compte M. “Breastfeeding Among Women Employed in Mexico’s Informal Sector: Strategies to Overcome Key Barriers.” International Journal for Equity in Health (2024).