Cuyahoga County Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels

- Every child is ready for school on the first day of Kindergarten
Strategic Priorities
  • 4.2 Align services to help residents live in healthy, lead-safe homes
    - Every child is ready for school on the first day of Kindergarten
About this measure

Lead poisoning is the most common chronic poisoning and environmental illness in the United States and can be defined as the elevation of lead levels in the body. This measure indicates the number and percentage of children tested for lead in Cuyahoga County who have a blood lead level of greater than or equal to five micrograms per deciliter. Comparative analysis data reported for Cuyahoga County and peer communities are provided by the Ohio Department of Health, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Florida Department of Health, and Indiana State Department of Health. Historical performance data reported for Cuyahoga County are provided by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (Actuals) and Ohio Department of Health (Estimates).
Why is this important?

Increased levels of lead in children may cause damage to the brain and nervous system resulting in behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, and hearing problems. Low-income families are often more likely to live in older homes with  deteriorated lead paint. Lead poisoning is a preventable disease. Children's lead levels can be tracked through testing and educational assistance and remediation of homes can be provided to eliminate lead hazards, reducing the risk for future children residing in that home.
How are we making an impact?

This is a community indicator measure. It is provided to show an understanding of overall community health. The County organization does not directly control the outcome of this measure; however, a number of programs and initiatives the County is undertaking can have an impact.  

Utilizing a state funded web-based system for tracking and enforcement, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health hopes to increase compliance. Future priorities for the Cuyahoga County Board of Health include increasing testing rates of children less than six years of age throughout Cuyahoga County and providing lead safe housing through various initiatives to continue to lower the rate of elevated blood lead levels in children in Cuyahoga County.
Reporting Agency

Cuyahoga County Board of Health
Additional Resources

Cuyahoga County Board of Health - Lead Poisoning

Cuyahoga County Board of Health - Lead Level Maps
Children Tested - Comparative Analysis
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Children Tested (2017 State Department of Health Data)

Long description.

Bar chart showing children under 6 years old tested for blood lead levels in comparative counties. Cuyahoga: 23,315 Allegheny (2015): 10,189 Franklin : 23,486 Montgomery: 8,163 Hillsborough (2011): 14,507 Hamilton: 17,283 Lucas: 6,220 Summit: 8,757

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Chart type: column chart.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values.

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Children Tested (2017 State Department of Health Data)Created with Highcharts 5.0.12Children Tested (2017 State Department of Health Data)Cuyahoga 23 315Cuyahoga 23 315Allegheny 17 080Allegheny 17 080Franklin 23 487Franklin 23 487Montgomery 8 162Montgomery 8 162Hamilton 17 284Hamilton 17 284Lucas 6 220Lucas 6 220Summit 8 756Summit 8 7565,00015,00025,000Chart context menu2017
Number of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels - Comparative Analysis
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Number of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (2017 State Department of Health Data)

Long description.

Bar chart showing children under 6 years old with confirmed elevated blood lead levels and the in comparative counties. Cuyahoga: 1,964 Allegheny (2015): 374 Franklin : 241 Montgomery: 130 Hillsborough (2011): 15 Hamilton: 450 Lucas: 357 Summit: 153

Structure.

Chart type: column chart.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values.

Chart graphic.

Number of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (2017 State Department of Health Data)Created with Highcharts 5.0.12Number of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (2017 State Department ofHealth Data)Number of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (2017 State Department of Health Data)Cuyahoga 1 964Cuyahoga 1 964Allegheny 457Allegheny 457Franklin 241Franklin 241Montgomery 130Montgomery 130Hillsborough 15Hillsborough 15Hamilton 450Hamilton 450Lucas 306Lucas 306Summit 153Summit 153Chart context menu2017
Percent of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels - Comparative Analysis
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Percent of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (2017 State Department of Health Data)

Long description.

Bar chart showing percentage of children under 6 years old with confirmed elevated blood lead levels in comparative counties. Cuyahoga: 8.4% Allegheny (2015): 3.7% Franklin : 1.0% Montgomery: 1.6% Hillsborough (2011): 0.1% Hamilton: 2.6% Lucas: 5.7% Summit: 1.7%

Structure.

Chart type: column chart.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values.

Chart graphic.

Percent of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (2017 State Department of Health Data)Created with Highcharts 5.0.12Percent of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (2017 State Department ofHealth Data)Percent of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (2017 State Department of Health Data)% Cuyahoga8.4%% Cuyahoga8.4%% Allegheny2.7%% Allegheny2.7%% Franklin1.0%% Franklin1.0%% Montgomery1.6%% Montgomery1.6%% Hillsborough0.1%% Hillsborough0.1%% Hamilton2.6%% Hamilton2.6%% Lucas4.9%% Lucas4.9%% Summit1.7%% Summit1.7%Chart context menu2017
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels - Historical Performance
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Cuyahoga County Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (By Year)

Long description.

Bar and line chart showing children under 6 years old tested for blood lead levels, children under 6 years old with confirmed elevated blood lead levels and the percentage of children under 6 years old with confirmed elevated blood lead levels in Cuyahoga County by calendar year. See Data Table for details

Structure.

Chart type: Combination chart.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 2 Y axes displaying values and values.

Chart graphic.

Cuyahoga County Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (By Year)Created with Highcharts 5.0.12Cuyahoga County Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (By Year)8.25%8.25%8.42%8.42%22,836.0022,836.0023,315.0023,315.001,8831,8831,9641,964% of Children with Elevated Blood Lead LevelsChildren Tested for Elevated Blood Lead LevelsChildren with Elevated Blood Lead LevelsChart context menu20162017
Data Source

Cuyahoga County: Cuyahoga County Board of Health

Comparative Analysis: Ohio Department of Health - Ohio Public Health Information Warehouse, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Florida Department of Health, Indiana State Department of Health
Measure Data
Period Status Children Tested for Elevated Blood Lead Levels Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels % of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels
2016 Community Indicator 22,836.00 1,883 8.25%
2017 Community Indicator 23,315.00 1,964 8.42%
2018 Community Indicator
2019 Not Defined