Title: Lead Poisoning Happy Town MPH 613
Background: By integrating and applying multiple components (lead information, cultural values and practices, risk communication), you will not only cover three important foundational competencies but also apply them in the design of integrated, effective public health prevention programs. Assignment Details and Components You will be given demographic, housing, language and other information about a mock community with a variety of potential lead sources and with a richly diverse population (including both long-time residents and new immigrants).
Key study question(s):
#1) Identify and briefly explain six potential lead sources that could affect people’s health in the mock community. Which one is likely to affect the most people? Why?
#2) Identify and briefly discuss three conditions/characteristics/practices/activities in the mock community – including cultural beliefs, values and practices – that could affect people’s risk of lead poisoning? How are these factors important in how a lead poisoning education program is designed?
#3) Why are cultural factors in the mock community important for effectively communicating lead poisoning information? Using what you know about this community and its situation, recommend three specific risk communication strategies for reaching three different audiences and sectors in the mock community.
Findings
#1) People living in the community may be exposed to Lead from several sources. The first source is their homes constructed before 1978.
#2) The second source of Lead in the community is piped water. Certain water pipes in this community may contain Lead.
#3) The third source of Lead in the community is jewelry and toys. Lead could be found in various products like jewelry. Candies and some traditional home remedies could be another Lead in community source.
#4) The fourth potential could be certain occupations like working with lead-based products such as stain glass exposing the community to lead.
#5) The fifth could be from food “buckshot buddies,” they could be using lead pellets in their guns so when they handle lead pellets that could affect people or infect the food that they are serving. Also, while hunting, not all ammo always makes it to the animal being killed, could get in the water or other animals can eat them thinking it’s a food source.
#6) The sixth could be Lead in the air and aviation gases could heavily affect this community.
Recommendations : The first risk communication strategy I would use in the community is seeking background information to understand the scientific basis of lead poisoning risk and how the public perceives the risk. Background information would involve finding information about Lead poisoning to create awareness in the community. In the second preparation or assembly, I will recognize and respond to community perspectives about risks. This strategy also involves explaining uncertainties linked to risk assessment. This approach requires openness, recognition of public responsibilities, and flexibility. Moreover, it is an approach requiring building awareness of the benefits of changing the perception of lead poisoning. Thirdly, I would embark on using dissemination and distribution. This approach will describe the risk and control measures to manage the risk. I will also share public concerns about this risk instead of denying the risk as illegitimate or as unimportant. Honesty is a critical aspect of this strategy. It involves being frank and open when discussing lead poisoning. When explaining the statistics from the risk assessment, I will focus on explaining the process of assessing the risk before I have presented the numbers. Moreover, I will focus on coordinating and collaborating with credible sources to ensure that credible sources back the information I am representing. I will also review and evaluate the risk and the effectiveness of risk communication channels. I will emphasize monitoring, management, and risk reduction approaches appropriate for the community. I will carefully plan and evaluate the community efforts in tackling the problem and provide appropriate means through which the community can address the Lead poisoning problem.
Public health significance: Integrated lead poisoning prevention, this lab was to help students become well equipped for the real world of public health practice when we assume positions as public health professionals. Lead is still a danger to our community.
Reference
Gordon, J. N., Taylor, A., & Bennett, P. N. (2002). Lead poisoning: case studies. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 53(5), 451.
Hernberg, S. (2000). Lead poisoning in a historical perspective. American journal of industrial medicine, 38(3), 244-254.
Needleman, H. (2004). Lead poisoning. Annu. Rev. Med., 55, 209-222.