Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-6 (of 6 Records) |
Query Trace: Egan KB[original query] |
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Using small area prevalence survey methods to conduct blood lead assessments among children
Egan KB , Dignam T , Brown MJ , Bayleyegn T , Blanton C . Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 19 (10) INTRODUCTION: Prevalence surveys conducted in geographically small areas such as towns, zip codes, neighborhoods or census tracts are a valuable tool for estimating the extent to which environmental risks contribute to children's blood lead levels (BLLs). Population-based, cross-sectional small area prevalence surveys assessing BLLs can be used to establish a baseline lead exposure prevalence for a specific geographic region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The required statistical methods, biological and environmental sampling, supportive data, and fieldwork considerations necessary for public health organizations to rapidly conduct child blood lead prevalence surveys at low cost using small area, cluster sampling methodology are described. RESULTS: Comprehensive small area prevalence surveys include partner identification, background data collection, review of the assessment area, resource availability determinations, sample size calculations, obtaining the consent of survey participants, survey administration, blood lead analysis, environmental sampling, educational outreach, follow-up and referral, data entry/analysis, and report production. DISCUSSION: Survey results can be used to estimate the geographic distribution of elevated BLLs and to investigate inequitable lead exposures and risk factors of interest. CONCLUSIONS: Public health officials who wish to assess child and household-level blood lead data can quickly apply the data collection methodologies using this standardized protocol here to target resources and obtain assistance with these complex procedures. The standardized methods allow for comparisons across geographic areas and over time. |
Blood Lead Levels in U.S. Children Ages 1-11 Years, 1976-2016
Egan KB , Cornwell CR , Courtney JG , Ettinger AS . Environ Health Perspect 2021 129 (3) 37003 BACKGROUND: Lead can adversely affect child health across a wide range of exposure levels. We describe the distribution of blood lead levels (BLLs) in U.S. children ages 1-11 y by selected sociodemographic and housing characteristics over a 40-y period. METHODS: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) II (1976-1980), NHANES III (Phase 1: 1988-1991 and Phase II: 1991-1994), and Continuous NHANES (1999-2016) were used to describe the distribution of BLLs (in micrograms per deciliter; 1 μg/dL = 0.0483 μmol/L) in U.S. children ages 1-11 y from 1976 to 2016. For all children with valid BLLs (n = 27,122), geometric mean (GM) BLLs [95% confidence intervals (CI)] and estimated prevalence ≥ 5 μg/dL (95% CI) were calculated overall and by selected characteristics, stratified by age group (1-5 y and 6-11 y). RESULTS: The GM BLL in U.S. children ages 1-5 y declined from 15.2 μg/dL (95% CI: 14.3, 16.1) in 1976-1980 to 0.83 μg/dL (95% CI: 0.78, 0.88) in 2011-2016, representing a 94.5% decrease over time. For children ages 6-11 y, GM BLL declined from 12.7 μg/dL (95% CI: 11.9, 13.4) in 1976-1980 to 0.60 μg/dL (95% CI: 0.58, 0.63) in 2011-2016, representing a 95.3% decrease over time. Even so, for the most recent period (2011-2016), estimates indicate that approximately 385,775 children ages 1-11 y had BLLs greater than or equal to the CDC blood lead reference value of 5 μg/dL. Higher GM BLLs were associated with non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity, lower family income-to-poverty-ratio, and older housing age. DISCUSSION: Overall, BLLs in U.S. children ages 1-11 y have decreased substantially over the past 40 y. Despite these notable declines in population exposures to lead over time, higher GM BLLs are consistently associated with risk factors such as race/ethnicity, poverty, and housing age that can be used to target blood lead screening efforts. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7932. |
Decreases in Young Children Who Received Blood Lead Level Testing During COVID-19 - 34 Jurisdictions, January-May 2020.
Courtney JG , Chuke SO , Dyke K , Credle K , Lecours C , Egan KB , Leonard M . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021 70 (5) 155-161 Exposure to lead, a toxic metal, can result in severe effects in children, including decreased ability to learn, permanent neurologic damage, organ failure, and death. CDC and other health care organizations recommend routine blood lead level (BLL) testing among children as part of well-child examinations to facilitate prompt identification of elevated BLL, eliminate source exposure, and provide medical and other services (1). To describe BLL testing trends among young children during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, CDC analyzed data reported from 34 state and local health departments about BLL testing among children aged <6 years conducted during January-May 2019 and January-May 2020. Compared with testing in 2019, testing during January-May 2020 decreased by 34%, with 480,172 fewer children tested. An estimated 9,603 children with elevated BLL were missed because of decreased BLL testing. Despite geographic variability, all health departments reported fewer children tested for BLL after the national COVID-19 emergency declaration (March-May 2020). In addition, health departments reported difficulty conducting medical follow-up and environmental investigations for children with elevated BLLs because of staffing shortages and constraints on home visits associated with the pandemic. Providers and public health agencies need to take action to ensure that children who missed their scheduled blood lead screening test, or who required follow-up on an earlier high BLL, be tested as soon as possible and receive appropriate care. |
Associations of blood lead levels with asthma and blood eosinophils in U.S. children
Cornwell CR , Egan KB , Zahran HS , Mirabelli MC , Hsu J , Chew GL . Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2020 31 (6) 695-699 U.S. children are exposed to lead through lead-based paint, lead-contaminated dust in older homes and through contaminated water, air, soil, or consumer and imported products(1,2) . Approximately 24 million housing units have one or more lead-based paint hazards, including 3.6 million homes with children aged </=6 years(1) . Epidemiologic studies have reported positive associations between lead and elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) in children(3-5) ; IgE is often associated with allergic asthma(6) . |
Blood lead levels in U.S. women of childbearing age, 1976-2016
Ettinger AS , Egan KB , Homa DM , Brown MJ . Environ Health Perspect 2020 128 (1) 17012 BACKGROUND: Lead can adversely affect maternal and child health across a wide range of exposures; developing fetuses and breastfeeding infants may be particularly vulnerable. We describe the distribution of blood lead levels (BLLs) in U.S. women of childbearing age and associations with sociodemographic, reproductive, smoking, and housing characteristics over a 40-y period. METHODS: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) II, NHANES III Phase I and Phase II, and 1999-2016 continuous NHANES were used to describe the distribution of BLLs (given in micrograms per deciliter; 1mug/dL=0.0483mumol/L) in U.S. women 15-49 years of age between 1976 and 2016. For all women with valid BLLs (n=22,408), geometric mean (GM) BLLs and estimated prevalence of BLLs >/=5mug/dL were calculated overall and by selected demographic characteristics. For NHANES II, estimated prevalence of BLLs >/=10 and >/=20mug/dL were also calculated. RESULTS: The most recent GM BLLs (2007-2010 and 2011-2016, respectively) were 0.81mug/dL [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79, 0.84] and 0.61mug/dL (95% CI: 0.59, 0.64). In comparison, GM BLLs in earlier periods (1976-1980, 1988-1991, and 1991-1994) were 10.37mug/dL (95% CI: 9.95, 10.79), 1.85mug/dL (95% CI: 1.75, 1.94), and 1.53mug/dL (95% CI: 1.45, 1.60), respectively. In 2011-2016, 0.7% of women of childbearing age had BLLs >/=5mug/dL, and higher BLLs were associated with older age, other race/ethnicity, birthplace outside the United States, four or more live births, exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, and ever pregnant or not currently pregnant. DISCUSSION: Lead exposure in U.S. women of childbearing age is generally low and has substantially decreased over this 40-y period. However, based on these estimates, there are still at least 500,000 U.S. women being exposed to lead at levels that may harm developing fetuses or breastfeeding infants. Identifying high-risk women who are or intend to become pregnant remains an important public health issue. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5925. |
Integrating childhood and adult blood lead surveillance to improve identification and intervention efforts
Egan KB , Tsai RJ , Chuke SO . J Public Health Manag Pract 2019 25 S98-s104 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collects information on blood lead levels (BLLs) in the United States through the Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance (CBLS) system (<16 years of age) and the Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) program (>/=16 years of age). While both of these state-based national programs share the mutual goal of monitoring and reducing lead exposure in the US population, blood lead data for children and adults are maintained in separate data collection systems. This limits the ability to fully describe lead exposure in the US population across these 2 distinct population groups from sources such as take-home and maternal-child lead exposure. In addition, at the state level, having a unified system to collect, maintain, and analyze child and adult blood lead data provides a more efficient use of limited resources. Based on feedback from state partners, CDC is working to integrate CBLS and ABLES data collection systems at the national level. Several states have developed or are developing an integrated child and adult blood lead data collection system. We highlight efforts undertaken in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Carolina, Iowa, and Oregon to investigate workplace and take-home lead exposure. Integrating blood lead surveillance data at the national level will enhance CDC's ability to monitor sources of lead exposure from both the home and work environments including paint, water, soil, dust, consumer products, and lead-related industries. Together, an integrated child and adult blood lead surveillance system will offer a coordinated, comprehensive, and systematic public health approach to the surveillance and monitoring of reported BLLs across the US population. |
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