The Bunker Hill Medical Monitoring Program (BHMMP) is a public health service providing screening, education, and referrals for eligible people (EP) exposed to lead while living near or working for the Idaho Bunker Hill lead smelter between 1973 and 1981. Blood lead levels in this group were documented up to 164 µg/dL. This exposure places this group at an increased risk for developing lead-related health conditions. Presently, an unknown number of these EPs reside in Montana and the BHMMP is identifying and providing them with free screening for two lead-related conditions, hypertension and renal disease. This presentation will discuss the challenges of providing health education for a previously lead exposed population. These challenges include: developing effective strategies to help EPs self-identify for enrollment into the program, to help EPs recall their lead exposure history from 20 to 25 years ago, and to help EPs contend with the broad range of emotions they feel, from denial to anger, about their past lead exposure. In addition, the EP’s educational materials need to target a broad audience (EPs range in age from 24 to 80 years old). Other challenges include providing succinct and instructive information for primary care physicians on how to treat a previously lead exposed patient. Furthermore, there is the challenge of implementing this program in a rural state. For example, the ten regional lead coordinators who are spread over 147,138 square miles need continuing support and education. Additional information on these challenges and strategies for overcoming them will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss the challenges of providing health education for a previously lead exposed population. 2. Discuss the challenges of implementing a lead-screening program in a rural state. 3. List and describe the strategies used for overcoming the challenges of providing health education for a previously lead exposed population and implementing a lead-screening program in a rural state.
Keywords: Lead, Health Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.