Michigan
The State of Michigan received $494,106 through cooperative agreement EH21-2102 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in FY 2022. The funds address childhood lead poisoning prevention and surveillance programmatic activities being conducted from September 30, 2022 to September 29, 2023.
The strategies focus on
- Ensuring blood lead testing and reporting
- Enhancing blood lead surveillance
- Improving linkages to recommended services
To learn more about these efforts in Michigan, contact the program below.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
235 S Grand Ave. Suite 800
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517-335-8885
Increased Capillary to Venous Testing Rates in Kent County, Michigan
Capillary tests are a quick and easy way to test blood lead levels (BLLs) but they can be contaminated and deliver false-positive results. A venous test can confirm whether a child with an elevated capillary test result truly has an elevated BLL. Therefore, a major goal of Michigan’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) is to increase capillary to venous testing rates throughout the state.
Michigan’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) updated reporting requirements for providers and laboratories. Subsequently, the Kent County Health Department successfully increased capillary to venous testing rates by implementing a follow-up protocol for elevated capillary results in 2017. The protocol includes a timeline for regular communication with the family of a child who has an elevated capillary test result to encourage venous testing.
Additionally, CLPPP staff members visited and contacted local providers to raise awareness about testing and reporting in Kent County, thereby assisting the Kent County Health Department in their efforts.
From FY2017 through FY2019, the capillary to venous confirmatory rates in Kent County increased from 35% to 72% in 90 days and from 21% to 56% in 30 days. Other counties throughout Michigan are replicating this protocol to increase capillary to venous testing rates statewide.
Funding for this work was made possible in part by NUE2EH001390 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.