Healthy Children and Safe Homes by 2040

RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

Generations of structural racism from historical redlining, continues to impact African Americans in our community by creating inequities. Children in these communities continue to suffer from lingering health disparities caused by redlining, including safe and affordable housing, food access, education, and access to care.

THE NEED

Every year in Columbus, an average of 141 children have elevated lead levels. Lead exposure affects the health, safety and wellbeing of children by damaging their brain and nervous system, causing speech and hearing problems, and increasing antisocial behavior that leads to violence and incarceration. Most times, these children are poisoned right in their own homes, especially in redlined and disinvested neighborhoods where the homes are older than 1978 when lead paint was banned. All children deserve a safe house.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Healthy Children and Safe Homes by 2040 project is a bold, collaborative intervention to prevent all children in Columbus from being lead poisoned by the year 2040. The health equity project will include multiple partners and stakeholders who will increase outreach and
education, screening and testing, workforce development, and repairs and remediation.

GOAL

All children in the City of Columbus are lead free by 2040.

TARGET COMMUNITIES

While we work to improve the health of all children, the Healthy Children and Safe Home by 2040 initiative will begin with three Columbus
communities where there are 7,500 kids under age 6 and 24,000 high risk units:

• Near East/Livingston Ave. Corridor
• Greater Linden
• South Side

ANTICIPATED COST - $44 MILLION

• Lead Hazard Repairs/Remediation: $36,000,000
• Workforce Development: $4,380,390
• Screening/Testing Supplies: $3,119,610
• Education and Outreach: $500,000

MAKE A DONATION

Columbus Public Health needs your help to address
racism and protect the health of all children. To make
a donation to the Creating Healthy Children and Safe
Houses by 2040 initiative, visit bit.ly/CPH_Donate.

LEARN MORE

For questions about this initiative and how you can
help, email leadfreekids@columbus.gov.