HPSJ Launches Campaign to Increase Awareness of Childhood Lead Poisoning
(French Camp, CA) – Health Plan of San Joaquin is partnering with the California Department of Public Health to raise awareness in our community about the harmful effects of lead exposure during California’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (CLPPW) October 22 – 28, 2023. This year’s campaign message: “Protect your family from all sources of lead air pollution, including aircraft and shooting ranges.”
The purpose of the lead awareness campaign is to remind parents that lead poisoning can be detrimental to young children’s health and development.
Dr. Dhanvanthari, HPSJ’s Chief Medical Officer explains, “Even small amounts of lead can harm a child’s health. Lead poisoning can seriously affect a child’s brain and nervous system and cause learning and behavioral problems. HPSJ encourages parents and caregivers to discuss lead poisoning with their child’s doctor and ask about lead screening. All children and youth to age 21 who are enrolled in Medi-Cal have the right to regular check-ups and other preventive health and treatment services needed to stay or get healthy, this includes lead screening.”
Children can be exposed to lead by ingesting lead-contaminated dust, paint chips from deteriorating lead-based paint, and lead-contaminated soil. If families live or spend time near airports, they may be exposed to lead air pollution from the use of leaded aviation gas in small airplanes.
Other sources of lead poisoning include lead dust brought home on parents’ work clothes, certain imported ceramic pottery, painted objects, traditional home remedies, traditional cosmetics, and imported spices, candies, and other food products. Additionally, activities that involve lead products such as soldering, making stained glass, and handling bullets or fishing sinkers can put children at risk.
According to San Joaquin County Public Health officials, “Lead exposure is often undetected because most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick. A blood lead test is the only way to know if a child has high levels of lead.”
More information about CLPPW can be found at www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/Pages/CLPPBhome.aspx.
Department of Health Care Services: Member Information | Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens
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Health Plan of San Joaquin serves over 400,000 members in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. Visit the website at www.hpsj.com.
Media Contact:
Vena Ford, Health Plan of San Joaquin, vford@hpsj.com