Information about blood lead screenings
Posted on May 23, 2011
Eligible Children Aged 1–5 Years: an Updated Approach to Targeting a Group at High Risk
Anne M. Wengrovitz, MPH, Mary Jean Brown, ScD
Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning, Division of Environmental and Emergency Health Services, National Center for Environmental Health
Corresponding preparer: Mary Jean Brown, ScD, Division of Environmental and Emergency Health Services, National Center for Environmental Health, CDC, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F-40, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: 770-488-7492; Fax: 770-488-3635; E-mail: mjb5@cdc.gov.
Summary
Lead is a potent, pervasive neurotoxicant, and elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) can result in decreased IQ, academic failure, and behavioral problems in children. Eliminating EBLLs among children is one of the 2010 U.S. national health objectives. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicate substantial decreases both in the percentage of persons in the United States with EBLLs and in mean BLLs among all age and ethnic groups, including children aged 1–5 years. Historically, children in low-income families served by public assistance programs have been considered to be at greater risk for EBLLs than other children. However, evidence indicates that children in low-income families are experiencing decreases in BLLs, suggesting that the EBLL disparity between Medicaid-eligible children and non–Medicaid-eligible children is diminishing. In response to these findings, the CDC Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention is updating recommendations for blood lead screening among children eligible for Medicaid by providing recommendations for improving BLL screening and information for health-care providers, state officials, and others interested in lead-related services for Medicaid-eligible children.
HNE has provided to you below, some key information links, including the link to the CDC document of which is cited above.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5809a1.htm
High Risk Communities for Childhood Lead Poisoning
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
2010/11 Recommendations Adult Preventive Care
