Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal found in the environment, primarily through human activities and products such as leaded gasoline, lead-based paint, ceramics, and corroded pipes (CDC). Because lead does not degrade, lead will remain in both soil or residential homes as a fine particulate matter for many years, and can further be released into the air as dust through the friction of opening and closing windows with lead paint or through individuals tracking dirt from outdoors into the home.

Once in the body, lead has a neurotoxic effect that is known to cause developmental, cognitive, and behavioral dysfunction; particularly in children. Elevated blood lead levels in children are associated with specific types of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (Daneshparvar et al., 2016). The current actionable blood lead level as defined by the Centers for Disease Control is 5 mcg/dL which is lower than the previous level of 10 mcg/dL (Mayo Clinic, 2021). No amount of lead in the body is safe though; deleterious effects are still found from BLLs lower than 5 mcg/dL.

Homes built before 1978 in the United States are at risk of lead-based hazards due to the presence of leaded paint and piping. Low-income families, renters, and immigrant groups may be at particular risk of increased lead exposure because of housing quality and barriers to removal or remediation of lead hazards. As a result, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created several programs specifically designed to assist low-income families with lead hazard control. Largely, HUD provides grant-based funding for certified risk assessors to remove and remediate lead hazards in homes–such as old windows–safely.

My primary role as the Community Health Education Intern was to facilitate the grant application process by meeting with referrals, assisting them with the completion of application materials, which can include income verification, a housing inspection, and certification of education modules. In addition, we conducted surveillance screenings by testing child blood lead levels in the community, most commonly at health fairs and community gatherings. For example, we held education and screening events in the Camden neighborhood of North Minneapolis and the Hindu Temple of Minnesota, among others.

I also conducted community outreach in Hennepin county, compiling resources and contacts in the community that may also assist or interact with families, seniors, and low-income households. In particular, I researched organizations and healthcare providers who work with infants and mothers, as I wanted to further target our work towards prevention. Enrolling families in the program as soon as possible will reduce the length of exposure to lead hazards. In addition to researching contacts, I conducted outreach through writing letters, conducting phone calls, and creating informational flyers and referral forms that these organizations could utilize to spread awareness of our programs.

Through this internship, I became increasingly aware of the importance of writing effective and practical health policy, as well as the importance of health promotion through poverty reduction and welfare provision. In public health, prevention is key, and through this experience, I saw firsthand the numerous barriers to accessing or achieving healthy lifestyles and living situations which may prevent disease or ill health. With this in mind, I would like to continue focusing my work on reducing barriers to health for traditionally marginalized or low-income communities and work towards developing health systems and policies that do not limit health based on income, accessibility, or acceptability.