Fighting Childhood Lead Poisoning (2019–2023)

From 2019 to 2023, the King County Medical Society (KCMS)—in partnership with Public Health – Seattle & King County and community collaborators—designed and executed a comprehensive initiative to combat childhood lead poisoning.

This multi-phased, grant-funded program built a sustainable infrastructure for clinical education, community engagement, youth empowerment, and policy advocacy around environmental health justice. The systems created through this work continue to protect King County’s children today.

“Prevention is powerful. KCMS made it possible.”

Why Lead Poisoning Prevention Matters

  • Causes irreversible neurological, cognitive, and physical damage
  • Disproportionately impacts low-income, immigrant, and BIPOC communities
  • Washington State ranks among the bottom five states nationally for childhood blood lead testing rates
  • Over 8,000 children in King County are estimated to have elevated blood lead levels—most undiagnosed

There is no safe level of lead in a child’s body. Lead poisoning is entirely preventable—but the damage is permanent.

KCMS’s Comprehensive Approach

Phase 1: Building Testing Infrastructure (2019–2020)

KCMS launched Lead Testing Days, providing free blood lead screenings at community centers, schools, clinics, and public events across King County.

  • On-site capillary testing with immediate results
  • Mobile testing systems and multilingual materials (English, Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese)
  • Referral protocols connecting families to clinical care
Hundreds of children were tested—many receiving their first-ever screening—and families with elevated results were immediately connected to care.

Phase 2: Expanding Clinical Education (2020–2021)

KCMS developed an accredited CME/CNE program, “Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning”, in partnership with the University of Washington School of Medicine.

  • Enduring online course available 2021–2023
  • Up to 4.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
  • Live conference with 200+ participants and 1,000+ total learners
  • Multilingual access and culturally responsive curriculum

Phase 3: Youth Engagement & Community Empowerment (2020–2022)

  • Virtual Youth Science Fair engaging 5th–8th grade students
  • Student research presented at statewide conferences
  • Statewide conferences on housing, environmental justice, and lead exposure

This phase elevated youth voices and expanded public awareness across communities.

Phase 4: Embedding Lead Testing into Clinical Practice (2022–2023)

KCMS developed a Lead Testing Quality Improvement module approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

  • Integrates lead screening into routine pediatric care
  • Tracks testing rates and outcomes
  • Supports public health reporting and system-level change

Key Outcomes (2019–2023)

Area
Impact
Testing
15+ Lead Testing Days; hundreds of children screened; immediate clinical referrals
Education
1,000+ healthcare professionals trained; standardized best practices
Community
Youth engagement, multilingual outreach, and community-based events
Policy
WSMA resolutions and statewide advocacy for lead legislation
Equity
Focused outreach to BIPOC and immigrant communities; rebuilt trust

Why It Matters

KCMS’s childhood lead poisoning prevention initiative demonstrates what community-centered, clinically rigorous, and equity-driven public health action can achieve.

This work built lasting systems—training clinicians, strengthening communities, advancing policy, and protecting children. It stands as a model for addressing environmental health inequities through coordinated, sustained action.