Childhood lead exposure: a public health nutrition perspective

Abstract

This Integrated Learning Experience focuses on childhood lead exposure in a rural community from a public health nutrition perspective. The project was completed at the Wilson County Health Department in Fredonia, Kansas, where limited resources, older housing, and barriers to care contribute to ongoing risk of lead exposure among children. The purpose of this project was to better understand how environmental and nutritional factors interact to influence lead exposure and to identify opportunities for improved prevention and education. A systems thinking approach was used to examine the relationships between housing conditions, access to screening, community awareness, and nutritional status. Special attention was given to the role of iron deficiency and calcium intake in lead absorption. Local data from 2025 was analyzed to identify patterns in blood lead levels and associated risk factors. Findings showed that a portion of children screened had elevated blood lead levels, with the highest levels occurring in younger children and those living in older housing with low hemoglobin. Additional analysis demonstrated an association between higher blood lead levels and lower hemoglobin values, suggesting increased risk for lead absorption due to anemia. Based on these findings, improvements were made to enhance community education and prevention efforts. Through this project I identified gaps in existing educational materials, particularly the lack of nutrition-focused guidance, and incorporated additional information to better support families. I also utilized programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as key intervention tools to improve nutritional status. In addition, I completed and submitted a grant application through Vitamin Angels to increase access to prenatal vitamins for women in the community, which resulted in the provision of vitamins to support women of childbearing age, including pregnant and postpartum mothers. These efforts support improved nutritional status and may help reduce susceptibility to blood-lead absorption. This project demonstrates the importance of integrating environmental health and nutrition in addressing lead exposure in rural communities. By applying systems thinking, this work contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of risk and supported the development of more effective, community focused prevention strategies.