The Foundations of Better Lead Screening for Children in Medicaid: Data Systems and Collaboration was developed with the support of The Commonwealth Fund and showcases strategies from five states where intense effort has gone into improving lead screening among the high-risk population of children who are Medicaid beneficiaries. The report’s practical how-to information is of immediate importance to administrators and staff of state Medicaid agencies and state and local health departments, as well as to advocates and policy makers. Among the various topics covered are: combining lead screening data with Medicaid data; state policies that support screening and follow-up care; and using maps to simplify complex information on screening.
Young Medicaid beneficiaries comprise 83% of children in the US with lead levels high enough to require professional follow-up care. Even so, screening among these children remains astonishingly low. In fact, of 42 states reporting Medicaid screening rates for 1999, 25 reported screening fewer than 10% of enrolled children. These rates are even more startling given that a federal requirement for lead screening has been in for nearly a decade.
The Foundations of Better Lead Screening for Children in Medicaid: Data Systems and Collaboration describes promising strategies to improve lead screening for this high-risk group. Free copies can be obtained from the links below or by contacting the Alliance at info@afhh.org or 202-543-1147.
This report can be downloaded entirely in three PDF files:
- Front and Back Covers [PDF]
- Report Text [PDF]