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News Release
News media contacts:
Osjetta Gascey-Morris, Texas Children’s Health Plan
832-828-1068 or
ocgascey@texaschildrens.org
 Click for PDF version
Texas Children’s Health Plan and
the Houston Department of Health and Human Services educate
local families on the dangers of lead poisoning
National lead poisoning prevention week is Oct. 23 to 29
HOUSTON, TX – (Oct. 4, 2011) – In
preparation for national lead poisoning prevention week, Texas
Children’s Health Plan and the Houston Department of Health and
Human Services (HDHHS) are launching a new campaign targeted at
lead screening. “Get the Lead Out” is aimed at increasing
awareness of the dangers posed by childhood lead poisoning.
Through this campaign Texas Children’s Health Plan and the HDHHS
are working to educate parents about the importance of testing,
appropriate ages for lead testing and empowering parents to ask
their primary care physician for this test when necessary.
“Early childhood detection of lead poisoning is essential as
high levels can cause serious health consequences such as
learning disabilities, decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired
hearing, even brain damage. What’s more, pregnant women can pass
lead through their body to their baby” said Dr. Harold Farber,
associate medical director for chronic conditions, Texas
Children’s Health Plan. “However, the good news is that if
caught these effects can be limited by reducing exposure to lead
or through medical treatment so it’s important that parents are
educated and empowered to ask their pediatrician for lead
screenings.”
“Lead poisoning can be damaging to the growth and development of
young children even in small amounts,” said Brenda Reyes, bureau
chief of HDHHS’ Community and Children’s Environmental Services.
“Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead
poisoning is entirely preventable. This collaboration allows the
Texas Children’s Health Plan and the Houston Department of
Health and Human Services to work in partnership with the
community to promote and protect the health and social well
being of Houston area children.”
Unfortunately, Houston has a large number of children with
elevated lead levels and many times parents are unaware that a
child’s exposure can be reduced in a number of ways. Below are
some simple things people can do to help protect their family:
• Get your child tested. It is best
for your child to be tested at age 1 and 2, but they can be
tested up to age 6.
• Get your home tested. Before you buy
a home built before 1978, ask for a lead inspection.
• Get the facts! The Houston
Department of Health and Human Services can provide you with
helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning.
Call them at 832-393-5141.
To learn more about the “Get the Lead
Out” campaign, visit
www.TexasChildrensHealthPlan.org/leadscreening
Texas Children’s Health Plan was
founded in 1996 by Texas Children’s Hospital. It is the nation's
first health maintenance organization (HMO) created just for
children. Texas Children’s Health Plan provides STAR/Medicaid
and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to pregnant
women, teens, children, and adults in Houston and surrounding
areas.
Currently, the Health Plan has more
than 330,000 members. The staff and network of more than 2,100
providers are committed to providing excellent service and
patient care to Texas Children’s Health Plan members. Texas
Children’s Health Plan is also the largest combined STAR/CHIP
Managed Care Organization in the Harris County service area. For
more information on Texas Children’s Health Plan, go to
www.TexasChildrensHealthPlan.org or call 1-800-990-8247.
The Houston Department of Health and
Human Services (HDHHS) provides local disease surveillance,
preventive health care for the residents of Houston, treatment
for selected diseases, a wide range of environmental services
and enforcement of certain city and state laws.
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