| Mapping for Prevention: GIS Models for Directing Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs Marie Lynn Miranda, Dana C. Dolinoy, and M. Alicia Overstreet Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA Abstract
Environmental threats to children's health--especially low-level lead exposure--are complex and multifaceted ; consequently, mitigation of these threats has proven costly and insufficient and has produced economic and racial disparities in exposure among populations. Policy makers, public health officials, child advocates, and others currently lack the appropriate infrastructure to evaluate children's risk and exposure potential across a broad range of risks. Unable to identify where the highest risk of exposure occurs, children's environmental health programs remain mitigative instead of preventive. In this article we use geographic information system spatial analysis of data from blood lead screening, county tax assessors, and the U.S. Census to predict statistically based lead exposure risk levels mapped at the individual tax parcel unit in six counties in North Carolina. The resulting model uses weighted risk factors to spatially locate modeled exposure zones, thus highlighting critical areas for targeted intervention. The methods presented here hold promise for application and extension to the other 94 North Carolina counties and nationally, as well as to other environmental health risks. Key words: children's health, environmental justice, geographic information system, lead. Environ Health Perspect 110:947-953 (2002) . [Online 13 August 2002] http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2002/110p947-953miranda/ abstract.html Address correspondence to M. L. Miranda, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Box 90328, Levine Science Research Center Room A134, Durham, NC 27708 USA. Telephone: (919) 613-8023. Fax: (919) 684-8741. E-mail: mmiranda@duke.edu We thank S. Buchanan, M. Lavine, E. Norman, W. Thomann, T. Ward, and two anonymous referees for their review and comment on this work. Able research assistance was provided by C. Bradshaw, K. Engleman, and D. Jones. This research was made possible by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans Foundation, and the Duke University Office of the Senior Vice President for Research Administration and Policy. Received 31 August 2001 ; accepted 21 February 2002.
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