CASE STUDY

New Jersey

By implementing a tier system that recognizes pediatricians’ lead testing rates and conducting outreach, the New Jersey team increased testing to reflect the state’s universal screening rule.

Aim

  • Increase the screening rate of children in New Jersey that receive blood lead screening at ages 1 and 2 years.
  • Increase screening rates in New Jersey to reflect New Jersey’s mandated universal screening rule.

Results

Interventions

  • Developed and implemented a tier system to recognize the top screening pediatricians in New Jersey
    • Identified the top three screening pediatricians in each county
    • Provided certificates of recognition for pediatricians based on the tier criteria
    • Provided acknowledgement on Twitter and Facebook of the tier winners (by the Commissioner of Health)

Education, Training, and Outreach

  • Conducted a data match with pediatricians regarding screening rates
  • Developed and distributed a physician anticipatory guidance mailing, or “Lead Lammies,” for 10,000 pediatricians in New Jersey.
  • Provided outreach to 800 pediatricians who were shown to have low screening rates, as directed by the New Jersey universal screening rule for lead.
  • Provided educational outreach on lead poisoning prevention and oral health to community health workers and perinatal care coalitions.
  • Visited all schools and child care centers and disseminated lead prevention and lead screening educational materials.
  • Developed a webinar on lead prevention and screening for school nurses.
  • Presented on lead screening at the 2019 New Jersey Population Health Summit; New Jersey Environmental Health Association Annual Conference; and the New Jersey Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Conference.
  • Shared information on evidence-based environmental assessment tools with the community.

Resources

Click here to view the full change package of strategies and actions that New Jersey used as they worked to achieve their aims as part of the Maternal and Child Environmental Health Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network.

Contact

Contact the New Jersey Team:

https://www.state.nj.us/health/childhoodlead/

CASE STUDIES

Learn from our partners

Our CoIIN members have developed statewide actions and initiatives for lead poisoning prevention and mitigation. Included in these case studies are resources & summaries from the CoIIN state teams and partners.

Browse all case studies

Pennsylvania

By creating a pilot program, the Pennsylvania state team facilitated partnerships between Head Start centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers to increase onsite lead testing.

New Jersey

By implementing a tier system that recognizes pediatricians’ lead testing rates and conducting outreach, the New Jersey team increased testing to reflect the state’s universal screening rule.

Michigan

By working with local grantees, the Michigan state team developed trainings and toolkits to increase awareness and screening of blood lead testing for pregnant and nursing women.

Illinois

Using interactive provider trainings and informational materials, the Illinois state team increased blood lead level testing and identification in young children and pregnant women.

Iowa

The Iowa state team initiated three clinical pilot projects that increased blood lead level testing of young children and conducted data analyses to understand provider testing rates and trends.

Missouri

Through community-focused campaigns and provider report cards, the Missouri state team increased blood lead level testing of young children.

Alabama

Through a creative media campaign, the Alabama state team educated Alabamans about lead poisoning prevention and testing and increased care coordination.

Mississippi

The Mississippi state team partnered with Medicaid to assess trends in blood lead level testing and reporting and provided lead poisoning prevention education in high-need areas.

Louisiana

Through partnerships with local Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) clinics, the Louisiana state team educated parents and clinical providers about lead poisoning prevention and increased lead testing.