Childhood lead poisoning in Massachusetts communities: its association with sociodemographic and housing characteristics.

• DOI: 10.2105/ajph.85.4.528
• Publication Date: 2008-11-29T13:18:52Z
• Authors: J D Sargent; M J Brown; J L Freeman; A Bailey; D Goodman; D H Freeman
• Keywords: Male; Incidence; Infant, Newborn; 1. No poverty; Infant; 3. Good health; Black or African American; Lead Poisoning; Logistic Models; Massachusetts; Socioeconomic Factors; Risk Factors; Child, Preschool; Housing; Humans; Mass Screening; Female; Poverty

OBJECTIVES. The purpose of the study was to examine relationship between communities' sociodemographic and housing characteristics incidence lead poisoning. METHODS. This a population-based correlational 238,275 Massachusetts children from birth through 4 years age who were screened for poisoning in 1991-1992. A logistic regression model developed with community as unit analysis, case identification rate (newly identified venous blood > or = 25 micrograms/dL per 1000 children) dependent variable, US census variables independent variables. RESULTS. significant found seven variables: median capita income, percentage built before 1950, population Black, screened, "poverty index." Rates iron deficiency Hispanics not associated CONCLUSIONS. is correlated characteristics. In states similar without screening data, this may help target programs.