1
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 of contamination by requiring
upgrades in infrastructure and better management of water systems.
B2A: Impact of Primary Interventions or Programs
These measures are supposed to decrease or even eliminate the source of lead exposure,
thus preventing health-related issues before they occur. Primarily by treating infrastructure
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 of contamination by requiring
upgrades in infrastructure and better management of water systems.
B2A: Impact of Primary Interventions or Programs
These measures are supposed to decrease or even eliminate the source of lead exposure,
thus preventing health-related issues before they occur. Primarily by treating infrastructure
