According to NBC News, the Department of Health and Human Services Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is not operating.
The programs’ 26 staffers were placed on administrative leave in April with terminations set for this upcoming Monday, June 2. HHS Director RFK Jr. has faced criticism pausing the program.
Experts at the George Washington University are available to provide insight, analysis and commentary on this decision. If you wish to speak with an expert please contact Media Relations Specialist Shannon Mitchell at shannon [dot] mitchell
gwu [dot] edu (shannon[dot]mitchell[at]gwu[dot]edu) or Katelyn Deckelbaum at katelyn [dot] deckelbaumgwu [dot] edu (katelyn[dot]deckelbaum[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Emily Benfer, Professor of Clinical Law; Director of the Health Equity Policy & Advocacy Clinic at the George Washington University Law School. Benfer is a nationally recognized expert in advocacy and clinic practice in the areas of health justice, housing policy, environmental law, and access to justice. Her clinic practice and research focus on the intersection of social determinants of health, racial inequity, and poverty with an emphasis on housing and eviction law and policy.
Maria Jose Talayero Schettino is a researcher at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. She can talk about ways to prevent exposure to lead as well as treatment for lead poisoning. She led a previous study linking lead exposure to criminal conduct later in life.
Kate Applebaum is an associate professor in the department of environmental and occupational health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. Her research focuses on environmental and occupational exposures influencing the risk of chronic diseases.
Leigh Frame is an associate professor of clinical research and leadership at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and co-director of the GW Resiliency and Well-being Center. She recently published a study looking into heavy metal contamination in cocoa products.
Jordan Kuiper, is an environmental and prenatal, perinatal and pediatric epidemiologist at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health whose research primarily focuses on children’s environmental health.
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