Arizona

Arizona’s Interactive Tool to Map Lead Exposure Risk

Arizona uses a targeted screening approach to identify children who are at risk for lead exposure. The Arizona Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (AZ CLPPP) has traditionally targeted high-risk zip codes to focus blood lead testing efforts. However, risk can vary greatly from one neighborhood to the next within a single zip code. Therefore, a tool was needed to help families and providers assess a child’s risk, and to provide a better and more representative recommendation based on a child’s neighborhood rather than the zip code.

The AZ CLPPP collaborated with the Arizona Environmental Public Health Tracking Program to develop an interactive, web-based neighborhood-level mapping tool. To help identify high-risk zip codes, that tool was implemented statewide in the 2018 Targeted Lead Screening Plan, effective January 1, 2018. The interactive map allows users to enter an address and receive screening recommendations for children living in that neighborhood. The mapping tool is compatible with smart phones for easy access.

The tool empowers parents and allows them to be more informed and engaged in their child’s healthcare needs. The tool has been used over 3,500 times to provide screening recommendations since it went live January 1, 2018.

Funding for this work was made possible in part by EH14-1408 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the CDC; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.