Alabama

The Alabama Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Project’s (AL CLPPP) data showed many providers were either not testing for lead or not reporting blood lead levels (BLLs) as required by the Alabama Department of Public Health Administrative Code 420-4-1. Additionally, data indicated that many children were not receiving appropriate follow-up testing when there was an elevated BLL.

To increase awareness of the state’s blood lead testing and reporting requirements, AL CLPPP launched a campaign to educate Alabama pediatric medical providers. AL CLPPP also issued new state blood lead guidelines, which aligned with CDC’s Recommended Actions Based on Blood Lead Level, to address common blood lead screening and follow-up testing issues identified in the pediatric healthcare community including state BLL reporting requirements and testing kit recalls.

There is evidence of increased BLL reporting since the development and initial distribution of the guidelines and educational campaign. From 2017 through 2018, the number of BLL results provided to AL CLPPP increased by 6.6%, from 43,806 blood lead results to 46,683 results. In addition, the number of children tested, as reported to AL CLPPP, increased by 3.1%, from 38,218 in 2017 to 39,404 in 2018. This increase in blood lead testing and reporting is expected to continue as the guidelines are shared with more providers and one-on-one education and other technical assistance are provided. Through testing, providers and families alike can monitor and address lead exposure, even at low levels, before a child has potentially permanent life-altering neurological damage. In addition to providing important information for individual children’s follow-up care, accurate and complete reporting of BLLs helps the AL CLPPP identify and address geographical areas and populations most at risk for lead exposure in the state.