Related Experiment Videos
Elevated blood lead prevalence in Florida two-year-olds
R S Hopkins1, R Quimbo, S M Watkins
1Environmental Epidemiology Program, State Health Office, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, Tallahassee, USA.
The Journal of the Florida Medical Association
|March 1, 1995
Summary
In Florida, 3.2% of two-year-olds had elevated blood lead levels. Targeted screening for Medicaid-eligible children and those in older homes could efficiently identify higher-risk groups.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) pose significant health risks to children.
- Population-based data on BLLs in young children in Florida were previously limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of elevated blood lead values (≥10 mcg/dl) in Florida two-year-olds.
- To identify subgroups with higher prevalence and inform screening strategies.
Main Methods:
- A population-based random sample survey of 387 Florida two-year-olds was conducted.
- Data collection involved parental interviews and blood specimen analysis in 1993.
- Children were randomly selected from birth certificates issued in mid-1991.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of elevated BLLs (≥10 mcg/dl) was 3.2%.
- Higher prevalence rates were observed in nonwhite children (9.4%), children of unmarried mothers (8.3%), and those on Medicaid (6.7%).
- Children residing in housing built before 1978 (7.1%) and those with yard dirt exposure (10.8%) also showed increased prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Florida's overall prevalence of elevated BLLs in two-year-olds is lower than the national average.
- Screening Medicaid-eligible children and those in pre-1978 housing is an efficient strategy.
- This targeted approach could identify children with a prevalence of 7.0% or higher.