At a glance
CDC supports Kentucky and other state and local health departments, or their bona fide agents, through cooperative agreements to support childhood lead poisoning prevention activities. Read about the program's successes.
About the program
The State of Kentucky received $515,000 through cooperative agreement EH21-2102 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the third funding year. The funds address childhood lead poisoning prevention and surveillance programmatic activities being conducted from September 30, 2023, to September 29, 2024.
The strategies focus on:
- Ensuring blood lead testing and reporting
- Enhancing blood lead surveillance
- Improving linkages to recommended services
To learn more about these efforts in Kentucky, contact the program below.
Kentucky Department for Public Health
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
275 E. Main St. Ste B
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-2154
Note:
Success story: funding year 3
Kentucky improves lead poisoning prevention communication with local health departments
Challenge
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) is one of the few nationwide events to focus on the reduction of lead poisoning in the United States. Fewer than 120 available local health department staff members in Kentucky responded to invitations to participate in the annual initiative in 2023. One possible reason could be outdated contact information for local agencies.
Intervention
The Kentucky Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program's new nurse consultant reviewed existing contacts and non-deliverable messages associated with the initial contact distribution list in August 2023. This provided the baseline of existing contacts and allowed them to assess what counties were missed. The survey included material requests and which local health departments would need and display educational boards for NLPPW. This endeavor included continued outreach to more than 50 health departments with outdated information through September 2023.
Impact
This intervention has strengthened the communication and coordination of lead prevention efforts throughout the Commonwealth. An updated list of professionals invested in lead poisoning prevention is now available for all 120 counties in Kentucky. This ensures Kentucky's goal of outreach and inclusion of all local health departments for lead health communications and surveys. No previous record of the conducted survey is available to determine the benchmark for response rates for previous years. The state's finalized contact list also increased the responses for the NLPPW survey by 15% through a secondary release to updated contacts, allowing more partners to receive materials for distribution. Maintaining this connection to partners helps ensure efforts are widespread and consistent.
Funding for this work was made possible in part by 1 NUE2EH001465-01-00 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official policies of CDC; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Success story: funding year 2
Increased outreach in Kentucky related to lead poisoning in children from Surma
Challenge
In May 2022, there were reports of children in Kentucky being exposed to Surma, a traditional eye or facial cosmetic used in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. A case of childhood lead poisoning in Daviess County was directly related to the use of Surma. Outreach materials on Surma provided by Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units were in English which presented a language barrier for some families. Additionally, these materials were not readily available for all local health departments. An estimated 10,000 Kentucky residents fluently speak Afghan languages, creating the potential for this population not being reached by outreach messaging.
Intervention
The Kentucky Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (KYCLPPP) provided information to local health departments and communities to reach families at risk of using Surma in July 2022. KYCLPPP focused on Daviess County and populations of refugees from Afghanistan. The materials recommended asking clinicians about lead testing and provided alternative lead-free products for culturally significant activities and contact information for those with additional questions. To meet demand, 150 fact sheets each were printed in Dari and Pashto.
Impact
The information provided to local health departments is intended to change practices related to Surma usage and improve childhood blood lead testing. Since the materials were distributed, there have been no reports of lead poisoning from Surma. As of March 15, 2023, Kentucky surveillance data has not detected a significant increase in testing among Afghan children.
Funding for this work was made possible in part by 6 NUE2EH001380-02-02 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the CDC; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Success story: funding year 1
Printing and disseminating education materials in Kentucky
Challenge
Upon meeting with 120 local health departments in the state, Kentucky’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (KYCLPPP) became aware that nurses were often relying on outdated educational materials to support lead poisoning prevention outreach.
Intervention
Each of Kentucky's 120 health departments was contacted and offered free educational materials about lead poisoning prevention. During 2018, KYCLPPP disseminated 5,639 childhood lead poisoning prevention brochures to 37 interested local health departments to facilitate consistency in lead poisoning prevention outreach across the state. Local health departments could incorporate community-specific knowledge into these materials to find the best fit for lead education and create a sense of ownership for their outreach efforts.
Health departments shared educational materials that provided anticipatory guidance to parents. These were provided during lead screenings (59%), after identifying children with elevated blood lead levels (18%), at various outreach events (such as health fairs, community partner meetings, environmental health conferences, etc.) (13%), and during clinical visits (mostly Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC] clinic visits) (10%).
Impact
KYCLPPP increased lead poisoning prevention outreach at the community level, which is viewed as a more approachable, appropriate setting. Additionally, local health department nurses indicated that they could supply accurate education and guidance to high-risk families. For example, Lake Cumberland Health District staff members added education on childhood lead poisoning prevention to parenting classes they teach to soon-to-be-released incarcerated individuals with young children.
Funding for this work was made possible in part by NUE1EH001264 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.