November 7, 2007

The City of Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion have been awarded $5,000 for its participation in the Detroit-Wayne County Legal Lead Action Initiative created to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in the Detroit-Wayne County area by 2010.

The Michigan Department of Community Health Director's Award, given for innovation and excellence in public health, was presented at the Annual Premier Public Health Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn on October 16.

"The City of Detroit's program is a fabulous example of what collaboration and partnership can do to reduce childhood lead poisoning," said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. "This strategic partnership has helped to reduce duplication of services by effectively coordinating and sharing resources and assisting in the creation of a city-countywide strategic plan to meet common goals."

Through efforts attributed to the Initiative, lead poisoning has declined by 61 percent within the city. The Initiative facilitated the remediation and abatement of over 200 homes in the city of Detroit through the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant. They have helped provide relief to more than 500 occupants from lead poisoned residences. More that 30 percent of these occupants were children under the age of six.

All local public health departments were eligible to apply and receive the award established in 1983. Also recognized was the Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency, which tied for second place and was awarded $2,000 for their leadership in developing and establishing the Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc. Van Buren-Cass District Health Department shared the tie for second place and also received $2,000 for implementing the Michigan Community Dental Clinics: A partnership with Local Public Health Departments model. Marquette County Health Department came in third place and received $1,500 for their coordination of the Marquette County Active Living Task Force.