Keeping children's brains healthy in Nairobi by preventing lead exposure
Healthy Cities for Healthy Brains: Implementation of a Lead Exposure Intervention Program in Nairobi
This project will offer blood lead testing and home-based checks to find and reduce lead exposure in children living in Nairobi.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324877 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If my child takes part, they would get a blood test to measure lead levels and a team would check our home for common lead sources like paint, dust, or water. The program adapts proven U.S. 'healthy home' approaches to Nairobi neighborhoods and trains local clinics to do screening and follow-up. The team will track children's lead levels over time, provide household-specific advice and support to remove or reduce lead sources, and work to increase community awareness. This combines testing, home intervention, surveillance, and local capacity-building to prevent lead-related harm in children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children living in Nairobi—especially infants and young children up to about 11 years old or those suspected of lead exposure—are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who live outside the Nairobi study area or whose lead sources cannot be removed or controlled may not get direct benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower children's blood lead levels and help protect their thinking, behavior, and learning.
How similar studies have performed: Comprehensive screening and 'healthy home' programs have reduced child lead levels in the U.S., but applying and testing these approaches in Nairobi is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karr, Catherine J — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Karr, Catherine J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.