Flint water crisis: A pediatrician's job

Flint Water Crisis: A Pediatrician's Job -Lewander Lecture

Presented by
Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH, FAAP
Director, Michigan State University – Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative

The Flint Water Crisis is an ongoing manmade public health disaster. In a cost cutting move, the Flint water source was changed without proper corrosion control treatment. The crisis has wrought widespread lead exposure, outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease, an increase in pneumonia mortality, skin disturbances and community-wide trauma and distrust. Lead is a potent irreversible neurotoxin with no safe level. An environmental injustice, the Flint Water Crisis disproportionately impacted a poor and minority population and illustrates the role of pediatricians as clinicians, scientists, advocates and educators. Lessons will be shared, especially in light of the current political climate.

Learning Objectives:
Attendees of this session will be able to:

1. Describe the background of the Flint Water Crisis
2. Recognize the role and scope of lead exposure mitigation
3. Identify the many roles of a pediatrician