Ohio

Lead-Free Ohio Practice Coaching Program

In Ohio, the need for improved blood lead testing rates among children has become increasingly urgent, particularly following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ohio Revised Code mandates blood lead testing for children ages 1 and 2 or up to age 6 if they have not been previously tested, especially for those enrolled in Medicaid or living in high-risk areas. To address this issue, the Ohio Department of Health partnered with the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) using funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Rescue Plan Act, and the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant.

As a result of this partnership, Ohio AAP launched its Lead-Free Ohio Practice Coaching program in 2024 to provide individualized, in-office training for healthcare practices to improve blood lead testing rates for at-risk children. The Lead-Free Ohio Practice Coaching program provided training for nine physician coaches who provided on-site support to 54 healthcare practices across the state. During the pilot project's duration, 37 active practices completed 3,008 well-child visits for children ages 1 and 2, resulting in 2,283 blood lead tests ordered and 1,561 tests completed. By participating in the program, active practices increased blood lead tests completed at well-child visits by 16%. This targeted approach aimed to equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and tools necessary to screen for lead exposure effectively.

Additionally, over 100,000 copies of "Thanks for Keeping Me Lead-Free," a board book developed by the Ohio AAP, were distributed alongside more than 30,000 rack cards and patient education materials. The program also fostered a commitment among providers to continue participating in similar projects with Ohio AAP, demonstrating a significant step forward in protecting Ohio's children from lead exposure.