Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
High-intensity targeted screening for elevated blood lead levels among children in 2 inner-city Chicago communities
Timothy A Dignam1, Anne Evens, Eduard Eduardo
1Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/NIH, 4770 Buford Highway, Mail Stop F-40, Chamblee, GA 30341, USA. tdignam@cdc.gov
Insights
Many children in high-risk Chicago communities have elevated blood lead levels, often linked to chipped paint. Targeted outreach and testing are crucial, as most children were not previously screened for lead poisoning.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Elevated blood lead levels pose significant health risks to children.
- Lead exposure is a concern in urban communities, particularly in older housing.
- Previous studies have identified risk factors for lead exposure, but community-specific data is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in children in two high-risk Chicago communities.
- To identify risk factors associated with elevated blood lead levels.
- To assess the rate of previous blood lead testing among these children.
Main Methods:
- High-intensity targeted screening was employed to test blood lead levels.
- A representative sample of children aged 1 to 5 years at risk for lead exposure was assessed.
- Risk factors for lead exposure were evaluated concurrently with blood lead level testing.
Main Results:
- A significant 27% of tested children (n=539) had elevated blood lead levels (≥10 µg/dL).
- Elevated blood lead levels were statistically associated with the presence of chipped exterior house paint.
- A high proportion, 61%, of children had never undergone previous blood lead testing.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in these Chicago communities was 12 times higher than the national average.
- The majority of children in these high-prevalence communities were not tested for lead poisoning.
- Findings underscore the urgent need for targeted community outreach and adherence to American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for blood lead testing.
Objectives:
We assessed the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (> or = 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood), risk factors, and previous blood lead testing among children in 2 high-risk Chicago, Ill, communities.
Methods:
Through high-intensity targeted screening, blood lead levels were tested and risks were assessed among a representative sample of children aged 1 to 5 years who were at risk for lead exposure.
Results:
Of the 539 children who were tested, 27% had elevated blood lead levels, and 61% had never been tested previously. Elevated blood lead levels were associated with chipped exterior house paint.
Conclusions:
Most of the children who lived in these communities--where the prevalence for elevated blood lead levels among children was 12 times higher than the national prevalence--were not tested for lead poisoning. Our findings highlight the need for targeted community outreach that includes testing blood lead levels in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations.
