Paid Sick Leave Benefits and Adherence to Recommended Screening Tests Among Male Labor Workers in the United States

Objective: We examined the association between availability of paid sick leave and health care utilization and screenings in male labor workers in the United States, and hypothesize that workers with paid sick leave benefits would be more likely to utilize health services. Methods: Using the 2013 to 2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), labor workers (n = 8553), aged 18 to 64 years, were examined. Logistic regression analyses assessed the association between availability of paid sick leave and the use of preventive services. Results: Thirty-five percent indicated paid sick leave benefits. Participants with available sick leave were more likely to have received screenings and to have utilized heath care services or had a dental visit in the past year. Conclusions: Availability of paid sick leave to labor workers may increase their use of preventive health care services. Policy that mandates paid sick leave is warranted.