South Bend, IN
Community-Based Research meets Systems Approach: Closing the Loop on Child Lead Poisoning
Despite many years of attention, lead poisoning is still a major problem for families around the world. Like a lot of public health issues, lead poisoning is complex, with social, governmental and environmental factors all playing a role. There are many resources available but there are serious difficulties in getting those resources to the households that need them most. Our team here at South Bend, Indiana is focused on using technology to effectively streamline services around lead poisoning. By working with our community (healthcare providers, health department, and neighborhood organizations) and using an innovative lead screening kit, we will be able to better identify the households most in need of remediation and resources, and more effectively get those resources to them. Through this, we will be able to close the gaps that prevent families from addressing the pernicious problem of lead poisoning and develop a model that can be used for other environmental health issues.