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Kristy A. Siegel, MPH, CHES, Janvier Gasana, MD, MPH, PhD, WayWay M. Hlaing, MBBS, MS, PhD, Janisse Rosario, MPH, Krishna Dummula, MD, and Emily A. Owens, MPH. Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, Viertes Haus 216, 11200 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, 305-348-4903, ksiegelapha@hotmail.com
In 2000, a pilot study titled “Community-Based Childhood Lead Poisoning in Inner-City” was conducted to evaluate the magnitude of environmental lead contamination in Miami’s inner-city. The study showed more than half of the 121 houses tested exhibited unacceptably high levels of lead dust and soil where children live and play. Consequently, the establishment of the Partnership Against Lead (PAL) Project was undertaken by the Florida Children’s Environmental Health Alliance (FCEHA) in 2002. The PAL Project addresses childhood lead poisoning in the high-risk communities surrounding the inner-city. The goals of the PAL Project are to motivate physicians to routinely screen children under 6 years of age for lead poisoning, to establish a partnership among providers, educational institutions, and other community organizations to provide services to at-risk children, and to educate children and parents to decrease exposure due to unawareness of sources. The objective of the PAL Project is to double the screening of Medicaid-eligible children six years of age and under in the targeted communities. Through the PAL Project, FCEHA has tested 293 children, educated 300 children and 300 parents, and conducted 500 community surveys assessing awareness of lead poisoning. Establishment of partnerships within the target areas includes 6 physicians and 2 clinics, the School of Nursing department at a private university, and 6 community-based organizations. Two activities have given the project the most challenges: contacting providers to establish partnership and implementing educational programs at schools. We are continuing to evaluate and update our program to address these challenges.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to
Keywords: Lead, Vulnerable Populations
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.