212374 A Qualitative Report of the Baltimore City Transition from Lead Poisoning Prevention to Healthy Homes

Monday, November 9, 2009

Elisabeth Fost Maring, PhD , University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Barbara Jones Singer, MSPH, MSW , University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Edmond D. Shenassa, ScD , University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Background

Housing problems (including those related to water quality and plumbing) are known to be associated with negative health outcomes in children, such as injury, poisoning, infectious disease, developmental and neurological disabilities, and respiratory illness. A report outlining the transition of Baltimore City's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) to a more comprehensive Healthy Homes Program was completed with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Methods

This project was initiated with the goal to develop a how-to-guide detailing the transition from lead poisoning prevention to Healthy Homes. The guide is a tool for state, local, and community agencies to use as a resource to create and implement a successful program. For this project, qualitative interviews with individual program staff and community focus groups with program participants were conducted.

Results

Qualitative data were analyzed utilizing QSR Nvivo software. The guide was completed in June 2009. Program strategies, policy changes, and resulting partnerships are highlighted. Quotes from staff of the Baltimore City CLPPP and the program participants are used to highlight the transition experiences delivered in the guide.

Discussion

The guide outlining the transition process will be useful for lead poisoning prevention programs and others across the country interested in incorporating additional Healthy Homes interventions into existing health promotion programs. Promising practices, as well as areas for improvement, are identified and detailed within the guide to assist other programs interested in or in the process of transition.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able describe two ideal Healthy Homes program components as identified by field staff after the transition was completed.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: co-author on final report related to this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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