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Learn how West Virginia is tackling lead exposure through collaborative public health events that significantly increased lead testing rates in high-risk communities, demonstrating the strength of community partnerships.
West Virginia Collaborating and Leveraging Community Partners to Increase Lead Outreach, Education, and Testing to Residents
In response to declining lead testing rates among children under 72 months in West Virginia, the West Virginia Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Project (WVCLPPP) recognized the urgent need for forming an innovative partnership.
WVCLPPP aimed to tackle lead exposure issues which were exacerbated by a water crisis in Piedmont. The partnership yielded significant results through eight co-sponsored public health events emphasizing outreach, education, and free lead testing in high-risk communities. During June 2023–June 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supplied six lead analyzers and test kits (LeadCare II point of care testing devices) to local health departments and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) offices in areas with notably low testing rates—such as Hampshire (12%), Kanawha (27%), Marion (13%), Marshall (16%), Monongalia (14%), and Ohio (13%) counties.
Following the introduction of these analyzers in WIC offices, WVCLPPP reported remarkable increases in testing rates between August 2024 to November 2024, showing a 55% rise in Marion County, an 18% increase in Monongalia County, and a 98% testing surge in Ohio County, compared to the previous year. Notably, the increased testing detected higher than expected blood lead levels in in Marion County (17%), Monongalia County (3%), and Ohio County (23%), underscoring the critical need for continued blood lead testing among vulnerable children living in high risk areas known for lead exposure. It is important to highlight that these results were achieved when the WVCLPPPP collaborated with Unicare, a Medicaid managed care organization, and the U.S. EPA, both of whom provided both material and technical support.