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D624 – Biostatistics and Analysis
Task 1 - Recommending Data Collection Method
, 2
A1a: Public Health Issue
Lead poisoning among children continues to be a major public health problem in Warren
County, New York. The health department of Warren County manages this problem via their lead
program that includes screening for lead blood levels, environmental investigations, education,
and surveillance. Children at young age have an increased risk as they have high absorption rates
compared to adults and low-level exposure is enough to result in irreversible neurodevelopment
problems. The combination of older houses, possible water pollution and certain characteristics
of the community are some reasons behind the exposure in the county.
A1b: Research Question
What environmental, behavioral, and socioeconomic risk factors are associated with elevated
blood lead levels among children aged 1 to 6 years in Warren County?
A1c: Hypothesis
Children between the ages of one and six that reside in older homes, have frequent hand-
to-mouth activity, or come from poorer socio-economic backgrounds will have higher prevalence
rates of high blood lead levels compared to those exposed to fewer such risk factors.
A2a: Literature Review Summary
Study 1: “Using small area prevalence survey methods to conduct blood lead assessments
among children”
Egan et al. (2022) in their article entitled “Using Small Area Prevalence Survey Methods
to Conduct Blood Lead Assessments Among Children” illustrate various methods used by local
public health departments in estimating prevalence rates of elevated blood lead levels among
children. The study advocates for the hypothesis that small area cluster sampling is a more
efficient tool in the identification of elevated blood lead levels and their risk factors in particular
geographic areas than regular surveillance. Independent variables include geographic area
attributes, age and quality of housing, demographics, and exposure to environment. The
dependent variable is blood lead levels, which is the incidence of elevated blood lead levels in
children.
Study 2: “Prevalence and risk factors of elevated blood lead levels in 0-6-year-old children”
Li et al. (2025), in their work entitled "Prevalence and Risk Factors of Elevated Blood
Lead Levels in Children Aged 0 to 6 Years: A National Cross-Sectional Study in China," explore
D624 – Biostatistics and Analysis
Task 1 - Recommending Data Collection Method
, 2
A1a: Public Health Issue
Lead poisoning among children continues to be a major public health problem in Warren
County, New York. The health department of Warren County manages this problem via their lead
program that includes screening for lead blood levels, environmental investigations, education,
and surveillance. Children at young age have an increased risk as they have high absorption rates
compared to adults and low-level exposure is enough to result in irreversible neurodevelopment
problems. The combination of older houses, possible water pollution and certain characteristics
of the community are some reasons behind the exposure in the county.
A1b: Research Question
What environmental, behavioral, and socioeconomic risk factors are associated with elevated
blood lead levels among children aged 1 to 6 years in Warren County?
A1c: Hypothesis
Children between the ages of one and six that reside in older homes, have frequent hand-
to-mouth activity, or come from poorer socio-economic backgrounds will have higher prevalence
rates of high blood lead levels compared to those exposed to fewer such risk factors.
A2a: Literature Review Summary
Study 1: “Using small area prevalence survey methods to conduct blood lead assessments
among children”
Egan et al. (2022) in their article entitled “Using Small Area Prevalence Survey Methods
to Conduct Blood Lead Assessments Among Children” illustrate various methods used by local
public health departments in estimating prevalence rates of elevated blood lead levels among
children. The study advocates for the hypothesis that small area cluster sampling is a more
efficient tool in the identification of elevated blood lead levels and their risk factors in particular
geographic areas than regular surveillance. Independent variables include geographic area
attributes, age and quality of housing, demographics, and exposure to environment. The
dependent variable is blood lead levels, which is the incidence of elevated blood lead levels in
children.
Study 2: “Prevalence and risk factors of elevated blood lead levels in 0-6-year-old children”
Li et al. (2025), in their work entitled "Prevalence and Risk Factors of Elevated Blood
Lead Levels in Children Aged 0 to 6 Years: A National Cross-Sectional Study in China," explore
