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WGU D617 Task 3 – Public Health Strategies
Paper Reducing Lead Exposure in Drinking
Water Through Primary, Secondary &
Tertiary Prevention
D617 – Public Health core functions and essential
services Task 3 - Public Health Strategies
Paper
, 2
A1: Introduction
Lead contamination of drinking water is a critical public health concern,
mostly due to aging infrastructure, such as lead pipes and plumbing materials.
Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can result in serious health consequences
such as developmental delays, reduced IQ, and behavioral problems in children
(Lu et al., 2022). Regardless of the regulatory measures, exposure to lead in
many communities is common, especially in communities with older housing
systems and limited resources (Bradham et al., 2022). This paper examines how
leadership can be employed to address the problem of lead contamination in
drinking water using the three levels of prevention, namely primary, secondary,
and tertiary. It also examines the roles of different organizations in the
implementation of these interventions and the methods of sustainable strategies
to safeguard the health of people in the long term.
B1. Primary Prevention Interventions
Primary prevention is aimed at preventing exposure prior to it. The main
interventions in this case involve the replacement of lead service lines, the
creation of more restrictive water quality regulations, and the promotion of the
use of lead-free plumbing materials. The U.S government is committed to
reducing lead poisoning not only in the U.S but globally through organizations
such as USAID (Bonnifield et al., 2024). For instance, one tip given to reduce
lead is to drink cold water from the tap because it has lower levels of lead. Other
programs, like Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, seek to eradicate sources
WGU D617 Task 3 – Public Health Strategies
Paper Reducing Lead Exposure in Drinking
Water Through Primary, Secondary &
Tertiary Prevention
D617 – Public Health core functions and essential
services Task 3 - Public Health Strategies
Paper
, 2
A1: Introduction
Lead contamination of drinking water is a critical public health concern,
mostly due to aging infrastructure, such as lead pipes and plumbing materials.
Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can result in serious health consequences
such as developmental delays, reduced IQ, and behavioral problems in children
(Lu et al., 2022). Regardless of the regulatory measures, exposure to lead in
many communities is common, especially in communities with older housing
systems and limited resources (Bradham et al., 2022). This paper examines how
leadership can be employed to address the problem of lead contamination in
drinking water using the three levels of prevention, namely primary, secondary,
and tertiary. It also examines the roles of different organizations in the
implementation of these interventions and the methods of sustainable strategies
to safeguard the health of people in the long term.
B1. Primary Prevention Interventions
Primary prevention is aimed at preventing exposure prior to it. The main
interventions in this case involve the replacement of lead service lines, the
creation of more restrictive water quality regulations, and the promotion of the
use of lead-free plumbing materials. The U.S government is committed to
reducing lead poisoning not only in the U.S but globally through organizations
such as USAID (Bonnifield et al., 2024). For instance, one tip given to reduce
lead is to drink cold water from the tap because it has lower levels of lead. Other
programs, like Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, seek to eradicate sources
