Project Abstract SummaryThe Minnesota Department of Health?s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (MCLPPP) is seeking funding from CDC to continue its efforts to eliminate lead exposure in Minnesota children. In 2019, 89,858 Minnesota children aged < 6 years were blood lead tested. Among these, 608 (0.68%) had a confirmed elevated blood lead level (EBLL). While the prevalence of EBLLs in Minnesota children has declined substantially over the past decades, the prevalence of EBLLs is not equitably distributed throughout the state. There are geographic areas and populations with prevalences much higher than the state prevalence. These areas tend to have higher levels of poverty, older housing stock, and larger proportions of persons of color. MCLPPP is committed to addressing these disparities through targeting interventions to high-risk areas and populations. The MCLPPP has operated continuously since 1995 in its efforts to monitor and eliminate lead exposure in Minnesota. It is authorized under Minnesota statues to maintain a statewide lead surveillance system. This system informs authorized agencies (MDH and community health boards) of lead exposed cases so that the family can be reached with education and environmental risk assessments. These agencies are authorized to issue enforceable correction orders for identified lead hazards. In order to improve upon and continue the operation of the MCLPPP, funds received through this grant will support activities to reduce lead exposures and lead poisoning in Minnesota. Activities include: screening, reporting of blood lead data to CDC, data management/surveillance, and targeted population-based interventions. MCLPPP will demonstrate that processes are in place to identify lead-exposed children and link them to recommended services. The program will work closely with agencies, partners, and other stakeholders serving children to ensure that a comprehensive system of referral, case management,
follow-up and evaluation is in place.Demonstrable outcomes of the funding will include: (1) Improved blood lead testing and reporting rates for children less than 6 years of age at risk for lead exposure. (2) Improved use of surveillance system data to capture missing data on child demographic and follow-up information. (3) Improved rates of children less than 6 years of age who meet state case definitions who are linked to recommended services. (4) Decreased disparities in blood lead levels by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. (5) Improved policies for targeted community-based approaches aimed at primary prevention of lead-exposed children.Strategies and activities that will produce these outcomes include the following: (1) Ensure blood lead testing and reporting. (2) Enhance blood lead surveillance. (3) Improve Linkages of Lead-Exposed Children to Recommended Services. (4) Develop Targeted Population-Based Policy Interventions. The success of these strategies will depend heavily on the ongoing collaboration with strategic partners at federal, state and local levels. MCLPPP has a long history of such collaborations and is part of a strong network of organizations and agencies engaged in eliminating lead exposure in Minnesota.Success will also depend on ongoing evaluation and performance measurement of the MCLPPP. A rigorous plan for evaluation and performance measurement will be created within the first 6 months of the project period. This will be used to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of program processes towards achieving the intended outcomes. Results from evaluations will be used to adjust and refine program operations.