Max Markowski and Taajwar Evans, “Pb: A Hidden Threat to UWM Students” Mentor: Rose Hennessy Garza, Public Health
Poster #3

Lead exposure is defined as the buildup of lead in the body. Exposure to lead can cause neurological damage and behavioral effects. Homes built before 1986 tend to be high-risk environments for lead exposure. Considering that much of the off-campus housing available to UWM students are significantly older, knowledge of lead exposure is vital to the health and future success of UWM students. The purpose of this research is to educate UWM students and to address the ongoing issue of lead exposure. A modified version of Intervention Mapping will be used to create a program to educate and spread awareness of lead exposure among UWM students. To develop the program, academic literature will be used to determine risk and protective factors of lead exposure. The literature will further be used to establish effective evidence-based strategies and behavioral health theory to create an applicable intervention program. The goal of the intervention program is to better educate UWM students on the health impact of lead exposure and address the lack of resources that are available to UWM students. The program will utilize evidence-based strategies, the creation of a logic model, and the use of the Diffusion of Innovation public health theory to effectively target lead exposure. Using public health theory and evidence-based strategies, the proposed intervention gives UWM students the information and resources they need to protect themselves against lead exposure through drinking water. By improving awareness of lead exposure and access to resources, the health of UWM students could be better protected.