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Louisiana Healthcare Connections Urges Parents to Screen Children for Lead Poisoning

Date: 10/15/25

BATON ROUGE, LA – In recognition of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 19-25, Louisiana Healthcare Connections is reminding parents and pregnant women that preventing lead exposure is critical to protecting the health and development of Louisiana’s youngest residents.

Lead poisoning remains one of the top environmental health risks for children, particularly in homes built before 1978. While major sources of lead—like lead-based paint and gasoline—have been regulated or removed from consumer use, children are still at risk through contaminated soil, imported toys, household dust, and even drinking water from old pipes.

“Every year, Louisiana Healthcare Connections welcomes approximately 12,000 Louisiana babies into the world. That’s why we must work together to reduce avoidable health risks like lead poisoning,” said Dr. Stewart Gordon, Chief Medical Officer for Louisiana Healthcare Connections. “Young children are especially vulnerable, and a simple screening can identify elevated lead levels early—before lasting damage is done.”

“Lead exposure is entirely preventable, and yet it continues to threaten the health of too many Louisiana children,” said Shannon Soileau, MS, Section Chief, Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology at the Louisiana Department of Health. “By raising awareness, encouraging routine screening, and providing families with tools to reduce risks at home, we can protect children’s futures and help them thrive.”

Lead exposure can severely harm a child’s development, leading to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and in extreme cases, neurological damage. Pregnant women exposed to lead also risk passing it to their unborn babies.

The Louisiana Department of Health recommends that all children be screened for lead poisoning once by the age of one and again by the age of 2. Louisiana Healthcare Connections encourages parents to ask their child’s pediatrician about blood lead screening, especially if the child lives in or regularly visits homes built before 1978 or if recent home renovations have occurred.

To help families assess their risk, the Louisiana Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (LCLPPP) provides a helpful checklist that asks questions such as:

  • Was your residence built before 1978?
  • Do your children play in bare soil near the home?
  • Have renovations occurred in your home recently?
  • Do you or anyone in your household work with lead in their job?

If you answer “yes” to any of these, your child may be at risk.

In addition to promoting screenings, Louisiana Healthcare Connections also supports member education and home environment safety as part of its maternal and child health initiatives.

For more information on lead screening or to download the lead risk checklist, visit the Louisiana Department of Health's website, or contact the Louisiana Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 888-293-7020. For more information about Louisiana Healthcare Connections, visit our website.

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About Louisiana Healthcare Connections

A Medicaid health plan serving the Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana Healthcare Connections was launched in 2012 to provide the best benefits and programs possible to improve the overall health of the families and communities we serve. We are a company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), focused on identifying and removing barriers to good health with sustainable solutions that help improve health outcomes. Through a family of engaged employees, dedicated providers and community partners, we deliver care for the health of all with Medicaid Made Personal. For more information, visit the Louisiana Healthcare Connections website.