Reducing lead exposure in children in Nairobi.
Official title: Healthy Cities for Healthy Brains: Implementation of a Lead Exposure Intervention Program in Nairobi
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11052389 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to help children in Nairobi by checking for lead in their blood and creating safer home environments to lower lead exposure, using successful ideas from the U.S. to make sure kids can think and behave better.
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 start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $598,560 |
| NIH project number | 1R01ES036010-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052389 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years living in Nairobi who may be at risk for elevated blood lead levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not children or those who do not reside in Nairobi may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to implement a lead exposure intervention program in Nairobi, focusing on screening children for elevated blood lead levels and promoting healthy home environments to reduce lead exposure. The program will adapt successful strategies used in the U.S. to the local context, addressing the significant public health issue of lead toxicity in children. By identifying sources of lead and providing follow-up care, the initiative seeks to improve cognitive and behavioral outcomes for affected children. Community engagement and awareness-building will be key components of the program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce lead exposure in children, leading to improved cognitive and behavioral health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in the U.S. has successfully reduced child lead exposure through similar intervention programs, indicating potential for success in this novel context.
Where this research is happening
-
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.