RIDOH Convening Summit on Childhood Lead Poisoning

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) will bring together community advocates, municipal officials, and public health professionals on September 30th for the 2022 Summit to End Childhood Lead Poisoning. The aim of the Summit will be to strategize on efforts to improve the availability of lead safe housing and prevent childhood lead poisoning. The event is being organized in partnership with the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.

The event will take place from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the William C. Gaige Hall at Rhode Island College.

The Summit will feature presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions on why lead is harmful, community impacts, and preventing exposure to lead.

Childhood lead poisoning remains an urgent public health issue in Rhode Island. In 2021, nearly 2% of all children tested in Rhode Island were found to be lead poisoned for the first time.

Summit highlights will include:

• 8:45 a.m.: Remarks from Attorney General Peter Neronha; U.S. Senator Jack Reed; and Dr. Joseph Braun, Brown’s School of Public Health Director of the Center for Children’s Environmental Health
• 9:05 a.m.: Laura Brion, Childhood Lead Action Project Executive Director and Vin Greene, Motley Rice Partner to present Lead 101 and Community Impacts
• 10:55 a.m.: Childhood Lead Poisoning Recognition of Excellence Award presented to the City of Central Falls and Mayor Maria Rivera

Additional information about the event is available online.