Community Connections and Elevated Blood Lead: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Studying Perinatal Health and Environmental Justice in Pittsburgh

Lead exposure is a significant health risk, particularly for pregnant individuals and neonates, due to lead’s ability to cross the placental and blood-brain barriers. Even at low levels, lead exposure increases the risk of preeclampsia. Non-Hispanic Black individuals and those in low-socioeconomic neighborhoods are most vulnerable to elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs). In areas with high lead exposure, limited healthcare access and social supports make community-based organizations crucial for addressing gaps in care. This study explored the relationship between the presence of Allegheny County Family Centers and EBLL rates at the neighborhood level in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to understand how perinatal and lead exposure resources affect blood lead levels. Through 20 stakeholder knowledge-sharing sessions with eight community-based organizations, university collaboratives, and community partners, 75 perinatal and 6 lead prevention resources were identified as trusted supports for Pittsburgh residents. The percentage of neighborhood children under 6 with EBLLs, sourced from the Allegheny County 2022 Lead Data, served as an indicator for maternal blood lead levels due to their strong correlation with in-utero exposure. Logistic regression analysis examined the relationship between EBLL rates and factors such as family support center presence, neighborhood demographics (percent Black, percent White), household poverty rate, and neighborhood need. Significant predictors included family support center presence (p = .0125), Black population (p = .0409), poverty rate (p = .0242), and neighborhood need, aligning with existing literature. Discussions among stakeholders emphasized reducing resource duplication and streamlining services to meet growing needs. This study provides insight into the relationship between lead exposure, perinatal health, and community support systems. The findings underscore the need for further research and consideration of de-aggregating maternal and infant health outcomes from the county to local levels. This approach allows for data reciprocity and transparency, improving the accuracy of environmental and perinatal health burden assessments in neighborhoods. Ultimately, these efforts are crucial for addressing the public health challenge of lead exposure and its disproportionate impact on maternal and infant health through enhanced community-based interventions and localized data.