Two-year pilot will bring mobile testing directly to families in six neighborhoods where many children ages 1 to 3 have not been tested


Two-year pilot will bring mobile testing directly to families in six neighborhoods where many children ages 1 to 3 have not been tested

CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), in partnership with Prism Health and United Way of Metro Chicago, is launching a two-year mobile lead testing pilot to bring childhood lead testing directly to six South Side communities where a significant number of children ages 1 to 3 have not been getting tested for lead.

With funding provided by the Chicago Fund for Healthier Communities and administered by United Way of Metro Chicago, the pilot aims to increase childhood lead testing, raise awareness of the risks of lead exposure and help families connect with prevention resources. The launch coincides with National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which has been observed over the past 27 years in the last week of October.

“Chicago has made significant progress in reducing childhood lead poisoning, but every child deserves protection from this preventable hazard,” said CDPH Commissioner Garth Walker, MD, MPH. “By bringing lead testing into the neighborhoods where families live, learn and gather, we can help remove barriers to screening and connect more children with the follow-up care and resources they need. Early detection is essential to protecting children's health and development.”

“Lead poisoning is a preventable disease, and early testing is critical." said The Chicago Fund for Healthier Communities. "We are proud to support a program that meets South Side families where they are, enabling every child to grow up healthy."

CDPH requires testing children's blood lead levels at 1, 2, and 3 years old.

In November, the mobile unit will visit multiple locations in Chicago. Over the next two years, testing events will be held at daycares, schools, libraries, places of worship and community organizations across the six communities — Englewood, West Englewood, South Chicago, Greater Grand Crossing, Auburn Gresham, and New City. Prism Health operates the mobile testing units.

Testing is free for every family, with no bill, copay or out-of-pocket cost. For insured children, Prism Health bills the insurance plan directly; families will never receive a bill or balance. Walk-ins are welcome, and no one is turned away. Families can find locations and register at Prism.org/lead or call (800) 325-1812.

“As the father of a two-year-old, I think about how easily children can come into contact with lead. Their hands touch floors and windowsills before going straight into their mouths. Lead dust can expose a child without them ever knowingly eating anything containing lead,” said Zul Kapadia, president of Prism Health. “Young children and busy families shouldn't have to overcome unnecessary barriers to testing. We're bringing screening to the places where families already spend their time, helping them take a simple but important step toward protecting their children's health.”

“Every child deserves a healthy start, no matter which neighborhood they call home,” said Sean Garrett, President and CEO, United Way of Metro Chicago. “We are proud to partner with Prism Health and CDPH as they bring lead testing into daycares, libraries and congregations at the heart of these six South Side communities so more families can protect their children early. Connecting residents with this critical service to support their health and well-being is just one way United Way is committed to helping families meet their immediate basic needs.”

Chicago has dramatically reduced childhood lead poisoning, from more than 70 percent of tested children showing elevated blood lead levels in the late 1990s to 1.7 percent in 2025. However, progress has not reached every neighborhood equally.

Lead exposure can harm children's intellectual development, attention, behavior and academic achievement, even at low levels. Children are often exposed through deteriorating lead-based paint and dust, particularly in older homes. Other potential sources include contaminated soil, certain imported goods, jewelry and pottery. Early testing is a key component to lead poisoning prevention in children.

Parents, expectant mothers and caregivers concerned about lead hazards in their homes can call 312-747-LEAD (5323) for more information.

Learn more about childhood lead poisoning prevention and healthy homes at Chicago.gov/lead.

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