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The use of Geographic Information Systems in presenting data has created an intuitive, visual means of tracking program progress andthe correspondence of intervention activities with the concentrationof the focus demographic and high risk areas for lead poisoning. These maps can be used to prioritize program efforts.

ReferencesBarnard, D.K., & Hu, W. (2005, October 6). The population health approach: Health GIS as a bridge from theory to practice. International Journal of Health Geographics, 4, 4-23.

Cromley, E. & McLafferty, S. (2002). GIS and public health. New York: The Guilford Press.

Michigan Department of Community Health (2005). Childhood Lead Poisoning Pre-vention Program. Lansing, MI: Author. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ScreenPlan_11223_7.pdf

ABSTRACT

The Greater Flint Lead Safe Children Program (GFLSC) was designed to increase the proportion of African Americans under 6 years of age in the 48505 ZIP Code who are tested for lead. We are using Geographical Information Systems to facilitate program process and evaluation. Maps assist in prioritizing in-tervention areas and tracking program efforts.

Genesee County, Michigan

IntroductionGeographical Information Systems (GIS) is an effective tool for graphically portraying important information about health issues within a community. GIS is increasingly being utilized in public health settings and used in detecting and monitoring public health issues (Cromley & McLafferty, 2002). Early public health applica-tions of GIS were primarily for environmental health issues and infectious disease (Cromley & McLafferty, 2002).

Using GIS reflects a population-based approach for addressing local health problems and issues. Availability and utilization of health care services can be geographically mapped and visually matched with population needs. GIS is an effective planning tool for informing decision makers about the specific health care needs of population groups (Barnard & Hu, 2005).

The intuitive nature of maps for presentation of quantitative data has enhanced accessibility by local stakeholders in Genesee County, including representatives from local community-based or-ganizations, who have been receptive to the use of GIS in map-ping local health data. We believe that GIS can be a powerful tool for the spatial depiction of program efforts both to enhance the progress of the program and to provide a high quality evaluation.

Although reliable data on lead poisoning and testing is difficult to ascertain by race, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that nationally the children at the highest risk for lead poisoning are African American, living in families with low incomes, or living in housing that was built prior to 1946.

Using GIS to Facilitate Community Lead Screening Efforts and Evaluation

Daniel J. Kruger1, Kim Noble2, & Lauren Shirey2 1 University of Michigan, 2 Genesse County Health Department

Greater Flint Lead Safe Children ProgramStreet Coverage May – October 2005

Numbers indicate packets distributed

Street Coverage May- October, 2005

African Americans Aged 0-5 as Percent of Population

10 – 12%7 9%4 6%1 – 3%

Percentage of Housing Units Constructed Pre -1940

HLM analyses indicated that the proportion of houses built prior to 1940 predicted blood lead levels, t(30)=5.733, p<.001. Mapsindicated the correspondence between GFLSC community outreach activities, the density of the focus demographic in thepopulation and pre-1940 housing stock, and elevated lead levels.

31 - 47 %21 - 30%11 - 20%

0 - 10%

No ExposureSome ExposureLead Poisoned (10-19)Lead Poisoned (20+)

Street Coverage May

Results of Lead Screenings

- Oct, 2005

The current Michigan Department of Community Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Statewide Screening/Testing Plan (2005), endorsed by CDC,recommends that all Medicaid eliligilbe children should be testedat 1 and 2 years of age or between 3 and 5 years of age if theywere not previously tested. Medicaid eliligilbe children living ina geographic area with 27% of greater pre-1950 housing shouldbe tested for lead poisoning.

MethodsThe Greater Flint Lead Safe Children Program (GFLSC) is conducting an outreach and education campaign to households and physician offices within the 48505 ZIP Code. This area is a State-designated high risk area for childhood lead poisoning and is also home to the largest concentration of African Americanchildren in Flint. GFLSC collaborates with the MDCH Medicaid Program to ensure lead testing opportunity. In 2003, only 14.6% of children under 6 years and 21.7% of children ages 1 and 2 years in 48505 had a blood lead level test and 3.0% of children tested had an elevated blood lead level ≥10 µg/dL.

The evaluation of the GFLSC Program uses Geographical Information Systems document and prioritize GFLSC efforts. Digital maps track the blocks covered by neighborhood outreach efforts, the number of households reached, distribution of informational packets, and lead screening results. Censusdata identified areas with higher concentrations of African American children under 6 years of age and housing units constructed prior to 1940.

Results

Discussion

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