Lead poisoning has become a familiar issue to Michiganders in the months following the Flint water crisis. However, lead poisoning can affect those outside the flint water systems as well. McLaren Health Plan (MHP) reports Michigan as one of the top six states in the nation for the prominence of children who are affected by lead poisoning each year, with many cities other than flint having had water measuring at dangerous levels at some point. Aside from water, lead threats can come from hazardous materials in old homes, such as lead-based paint. With these potential risks in mind, Cristo Rey wants to share resources available to local families for testing.

Mclaren Health Plan lead screening

McLaren Health Plan created a free screening clinic for Medicaid eligible children two years and younger, where with a simple pin prick, lead can be detected in a child’s blood. These screenings take place at various locations throughout the state. Hosting a screening clinic is simple, with the only requirement being an open screening room.

Children await their lead screening at Cristo Rey’s recent lead clinic with MHP.

Resources such as the MHP clinic are developed so that no child in Michigan will go without a lead screening test. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) reveals that 17% of children under the age of two may not receive a screening test despite a visit to a doctor. In response to these findings, MHP offers free testing kits for doctors and clinics from the State of Michigan. These kits can be mailed with supplies, instructions and prepaid envelopes for the testing of the sample to ensure every child in Michigan receives a screening test.

Learn more & stay safe

You can learn more about the warning signs, treatment and prevention here.

For more info on future clinics through MHP contact Amber Knapp: amber.knapp@mclaren.org