Measuring developmental outcomes of lead exposure in an urban neighborhood: the challenges of community-based research

Abstract

The Developmental Research on Attention and Memory Skills ( DREAMS ) Project measures developmental outcomes of approximately 330 children at risk for lead exposure within an ethnically diverse, inner -city neighborhood. This study is one project of the Phillips Neighborhood Healthy Housing Collaborative, a 6 -year -old collaboration between residents of the Phillips community in Minneapolis, university researchers, and representatives of various public and private agencies. Our experience carrying out this research is used to highlight both the benefits of, and the challenges to, measuring exposure outcomes in inner -city children using a community -based research approach. Challenges to working within a community collaborative, to studying an ethnically diverse and economically disadvantaged neighborhood, and to utilizing neighborhood residents as project staff are discussed. The strategies used to address these issues are presented to offer ideas for surmounting the challenges inherent in community -based research. The investigation of community environmental health problems through a community -based research approach can result in improved methodology, enhanced quality of data collected, and increased effectiveness of data dissemination. In addition, it can lead to important findings that inform the scientific community and create positive community changes. It is paramount, however, that potential obstacles be anticipated and planned for, or else be detected early and promptly responded to, in a manner that preserves scientific rigor while respecting community needs and values. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology ( 2000 ) 10, 732 ± 742.

Sequence and priming in 15 month‐olds' reactions to brief arm restraint: evidence for a hierarchy of anger responses

“…To meet these three aims, we examined the first paired AR test in an available archive of videotapes of children enrolled in the Behavior Project, a substudy within the Developmental Research on Early Attention and Memory Skills (DREAMS) study [Jordan et al, 2000]. The DREAMS study was an extensive longitudinal, community-based study of neuropsychological and emotional development.…”

Introduction and overview: Assessing children's exposure to hazardous environmental chemicals: an overview of selected research challenges and complexities

“…Because each study is different (e.g., specific goals, aims, and approaches ) and occurs within the context of unique situations, settings, and circumstances (e.g., particular age -related and socioeconomic characteristics of the children /families ) , we make no attempt to provide standardized answers to these projectspecific administrative challenges. Instead, the reader is referred to several articles in this special issue that describe how individual research teams dealt with these challenges ( see, for example, O'Rourke et al, 2000;Jordan et al, 2000;.…”

“…Best results for venipuncture samples are obtained when a trained pediatric phlebotomist takes the sample quickly and painlessly, while reassuring the child and putting him or her at ease. Several recent studies have used biomarkers in blood to assess children's exposure to environmental toxicants Jordan et al, 2000;Sexton et al, 2000 ).…”

“…Because childhood exposure studies are conducted for a variety of reasons (see Figure 2 ) using distinct exposure assessment approaches ( e.g., direct measurements, reconstructive analysis, or scenario -based evaluation ), the following discussion necessarily focuses on identification of key challenges rather than on trying to propose specific solutions. For project -specific information on resolving important data -collection issues, the reader is encouraged to review several articles published as part of this special issue (see, for example, Buckley et al, 2000;Fenske et al, 2000a;Jordan et al, 2000;Melnyk et al, 2000;O'Rourke et al, 2000;Sexton et al, 2000 ).…”

“…For example, Fenske et al ( 2000a ) examined children's pesticide exposures using a convenience sample obtained through local WIC ( Women, Infants, and Children) clinics in an apple -growing region of Washington. Jordan et al (2000 ) used a convenience sample to study children's lead ( Pb ) exposures and related neurobehavioral effects by recruiting women either prenatally or during their offspring's infancy through health clinics in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood. Melnyk et al ( 2000 ) studied children's dietary exposures in Pb -laden residential environments using a convenience sample of children / families recruited through a state treatment program for leadexposed children.…”