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Lead Poisoning Prevention Efforts in High-Risk Environments: Follow-up Testing Rates among Preschool Children in Flint, Michigan, 2013–2015

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Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Despite the importance of screening in efforts to address lead poisoning, many children in the United States have never been tested for lead, even when required to receive blood lead testing by state and federal healthcare policy. Fewer children gain access to follow-up or confirmatory testing when elevated blood lead levels are detected.

Methods

In response to previous research that illustrates the extent to which follow-up treatment services have been underutilized and poorly coordinated, this retrospective cohort study examines follow-up testing trends for lead poisoning among Medicaid-enrolled children 6 years and younger in Flint, Michigan, between 2013 and 2015.

Results

These findings illustrate that compliance with follow-up testing procedures was less than adequate during the period of study.

Conclusion

As illustrated in this bivariate analysis, subpopulations in Flint most likely to have lead poisoning were least likely to receive follow-up testing. Evidence also demonstrates that the likelihood that children with lead poisoning received follow-up testing was overwhelmingly associated with their blood lead concentration level than other indicators including socioeconomic status in this high-risk environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Florida State University, 526 Bellamy Building, 113 Collegiate Loop, PO Box 3062270, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-2270, USA

    Katrinell M. Davis

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  1. Katrinell M. Davis
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Correspondence to Katrinell M. Davis.

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The author declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Research involving Human Participants and/or Animals

This research study received institutional review board approval from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Florida State University. A Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Waiver of Authorization was granted and the private health data was deidentified before the analysis.

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Davis, K.M. Lead Poisoning Prevention Efforts in High-Risk Environments: Follow-up Testing Rates among Preschool Children in Flint, Michigan, 2013–2015. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 8, 199–209 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-020-00772-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-020-00772-0

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