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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Marinelle Payton, MD, PhD, MPH, Department of Public Health, Jackson State University, Jackson Medical Mall - Thad Cochran Center, Jackson, MS 39213, (601) 368-2052, mpayton@mail1.jsums.edu
The State of Mississippi ranks high on many of the socioeconomic indicators that are highly correlated with childhood lead poisoning in national studies. Yet published data on childhood and adult lead poisoning in Mississippi are scanty. The received opinion holds that lead poisoning is “not a problem” in Mississippi. To begin to define the dimensions of lead poisoning in Mississippi, we are conducting a formal needs assessment of existing sources of information on exposures, outcomes and policies. Demographic and housing data will be analyzed with an eye toward factors which have been shown elsewhere to be highly correlated with childhood lead poisoning. Known and putative occupational sources of exposure in Mississippi will be estimated using TRI data, state industrial directories, and federal highway data. To assess outcomes, descriptive analyses will be performed of state Medicaid data and case reports of lead poisoning collected by state agencies. The history of attempted state policy reforms will be traced in interviews with leaders of the medical profession, public health, and children’s services. We will attempt to identify germinal initiatives within Mississippi which mirror successful interventions elsewhere (e.g., registries, certification of laboratories and inspectors, health care provider education, etc.). Needs and opportunities for improved surveillance, intervention and research will be identified.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.