Thanks to new funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), a team of researchers at the University of 91吃瓜 will co-create new tests and technologies alongside community health workers to detect lead levels in housing.
鈥淭he current system for discovering lead hazards in homes treats children like test instruments,鈥� said聽, a professor of analytical chemistry at 91吃瓜. 鈥淔ollowing this model, we wait until a child鈥檚 blood shows elevated lead levels, and then that triggers engagement from the city and the county.鈥�
Lieberman is part of a team, which includes three other 91吃瓜 faculty members and many community health partners, that is working to rethink that system. And their bold new ideas have just received a major funding award from the NSF. The centerpiece of the funding is a new app that will speed access to resources and provide better data to health officials and policymakers.
, the Frank M. Freimann Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at 91吃瓜, will lead the team. Chawla, who is also the founding director of the University鈥檚 Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society, said that the idea for the project arose from the , a series of institute-sponsored meetings with community health professionals. Listening to those working on the front lines of community health provided insights about the 鈥済aps鈥� that keep scientific advances in the study of lead poisoning from improving health for members of the local community.
, who directs Beacon Health System鈥檚 public outreach efforts, added that 鈥渢here are barriers to access all along the route from testing to treatment. After we test, we need to make sure families have easy and equitable access to the resources available from health care providers, governments听补苍诲 health departments.鈥� Green Reeves, who will serve as a key community partner in the project, said, 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about the role technology can play in helping us communicate a clear message to the community in a timely way.鈥�
, who leads 91吃瓜鈥檚 Center for Civic Innovation, emphasized that the principle of solidarity will guide the team鈥檚 process for developing new technologies. 鈥淩eal change requires listening,鈥澛燘rockman聽said. 鈥淲e have to understand what is really going on in the neighborhoods to understand the barriers and co-create solutions people truly trust and use.鈥�
Chawla added that co-creation is especially important because lead poisoning disproportionately affects the most vulnerable members of the local community whose voices are often ignored.
鈥淲e know that lead poisoning occurs mostly in low-income and minority neighborhoods,鈥� he said. 鈥淟ead poisoning makes the problems these neighborhoods face even worse by harming children鈥檚 development and adding additional barriers to their progress in life.鈥�
, director of communications for the city of South Bend, said the city is glad to be a key partner in the project as well. 鈥淎s a municipal government, we see firsthand how the issue of lead poisoning can impact South Bend residents,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut we also see how complex the issue is. So we understand this kind of partnership that brings together health systems, health departments and researchers who all want to create positive outcomes for residents.鈥�
For , the deputy health officer for St. Joseph County, the project is an important step in the community鈥檚 relationship with 91吃瓜.
鈥淥ver the last five years, there has been renewed attention to lead risk in St. Joseph County, and 91吃瓜鈥檚 Lead Innovation Team has helped increase testing,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow we can shift our focus upstream to ensure that every child born in St. Joseph County has a safe home to come home to. 91吃瓜鈥檚 expertise in chemistry, innovation and data science will give us a clearer picture of where the risks lie so that we can prepare and follow up appropriately.鈥�
He added, 鈥淚t's a powerful example of what can happen when the University brings its intellectual capital to serve society.鈥�
To learn more about 91吃瓜鈥檚 ongoing partnership with local health professionals, visit the 聽or contact its conveners, , 听补苍诲 .
Contact: Brett Beasley, writer and editorial program manager, 91吃瓜 Research, bbeasle1@nd.edu, 574-631-8183;聽@UNDResearch
Originally published by at on Oct. 18.