Practice Lab Project 1

Practice Lab 1 – MPH 613

• Background
  • In this practice lab, we are given a scenario to recognize, address, and communicate the apparent lead risks within the town. However, before proper and fruitful communication can exist, the recognition of the hazards must be recognized — this includes leaded paint, lead contamination in the food systems, leaded children’s toys, and more. Next, we must address the cultural processes that may exacerbate the hazards and formulate ways in which these events can be performed safely. Lastly, one of the most important factors pertaining to public health is communication. In this lab, I show that it is paramount to have a good lead prevention strategy with an even better communication role.
• Key Study Questions and Methods
  • What hazards to lead exposure are present within Happytown, USA?
  • How do some of the expression of cultural diversity in Happytown lead to possible higher rates of elevated lead exposure? What are ways to limit this exposure without limiting the cultural diversity?
  • What programs can be created to reduce lead exposure in Happytown? How does communication play a role in these installments?
• Findings and Recommendations
  • As previously mentioned, there are many possible exposures to the residents of Happytown, USA. Some of these exposures include the increase in renovations to older homes that may contain leaded paint, the possible lead contamination of the cultural cuisine, the children’s toys, the beads given out during Happytown’s festivals, and more. In order to limit lead exposure, education opportunities (ideally offered in Spanish as well as English) on the dangers of lead exposure during renovation, the hazards present in some of the foods consumed in Happytown, and how some of the materials used in the Happytown festivities can be potentially harmful.
• Public Health Significance
  • Although this is a fictitious report, it is paramount that we, as future public health officials, understand the basic principles in identifying hazards, creating programs, and installing programs to reduce exposure to the hazard. Through this process, we are able to gather an understanding of looking beyond the surface level of some of the hazards and creating a program that can instill change within the community to ensure the overall health and safety of the population.