Neighborhood-Level Lead Paint Hazard for Children under 6: A Tool for Proactive and Equitable Intervention

Abstract

Lead is well known for its adverse health effects on children, particularly when exposure occurs at earlier ages. The primary source of lead hazards among young children is paint used in buildings built before 1978. Despite being 100% preventable, some children remain exposed and state and local policies often remain reactive. This study presents a methodology for planners and public health practitioners to proactively address lead risks among young children. Using geospatial analyses, this study examines neighborhood level measurement of lead paint hazard in homes and childcare facilities and the concentration of children aged 0–5. Results highlight areas of potential lead paint hazard hotspots within a county in the Midwestern state studied, which coincides with higher concentration of non-white children. This places lead paint hazard in the context of social determinants of health, where existing disparity in distribution of social and economic resources reinforces health inequity. In addition to being proactive, lead poisoning intervention efforts need to be multi-dimensional and coordinated among multiple parties involved. Identifying children in higher lead paint hazard areas, screening and treating them, and repairing their homes and childcare facilities will require close collaboration of healthcare professionals, local housing and planning authorities, and community members.

Linking Urban Planning, Community Environment, and Physical Activity: A Socio-Ecological Approach

“…Although the socio-ecological model pays attention to various determinants of health at different levels, more studies are needed to understand the impact of the social environment on health behaviors [18,19]. The physical and social environment, where people live, work and play, are important social determinants of health [20,21]. Most studies show that a mixed-use neighborhood, public transportation, and complete streets that support walking and biking could encourage pedestrian travel and physical activity [22][23][24].…”

Effects of Racism on Child Development: Advancing Antiracist Developmental Science

“…These structural inequities have cascading impacts on REM children's lives, such as exposure to environmental toxins and concentrated disadvantage, placing them at risk for detrimental outcomes. These hazards include, but are not limited to, air pollution (e.g., Commodore et al 2021, Mullen et al 2020, noise pollution (e.g., Collins et al 2019), and lead poisoning (e.g., Baek et al 2021, Egendorf et al 2021. Children are most likely to be exposed to these toxins in their homes (e.g., Manduca & Sampson 2021, Wheeler et al 2019 and schools (e.g., Collins et al 2019, Grineski & Collins 2018, the two places where they spend the majority of their time.…”

“…Another environmental toxin associated with racial disparities in development and learning is lead. Lead exposure is hazardous to young children as it impairs their brains and nervous systems and can result in delayed growth and development and difficulties with learning or behavioral regulation (Baek et al 2021). Compared with White children, Black children are more likely to live in substandard housing with deteriorating lead-based paint (Wheeler et al 2019), drink water contaminated by lead (Davis 2021), or be exposed to lead in soil (Egendorf et al 2021) and are thus more at risk for exposure to lead poisoning.…”

“…Compared with White children, Black children are more likely to live in substandard housing with deteriorating lead-based paint (Wheeler et al 2019), drink water contaminated by lead (Davis 2021), or be exposed to lead in soil (Egendorf et al 2021) and are thus more at risk for exposure to lead poisoning. A recent study explored the geographic distribution of lead hazard risk in residential areas and found that more than 50% of Black and Hispanic children resided in areas that have high or very high levels of lead risk compared with more than 50% of White children living in areas with low levels of lead risk (Baek et al 2021).…”