Action anthropology and public policy change: Lead poisoning in Syracuse, NY

Abstract In Syracuse, New York more than 10% of children are lead poisoned each year, a toxic exposure that lowers the children's ability to learn and increases risky behaviors in adolescence. African American affected at nearly twice rate White children. We describe community‐university collaboration reduce childhood poisoning effects these efforts have had on public policy date. This paper documents effectiveness Community Action, Research, Education model deliver community‐based prevention strategies child York. The were successful for promoting legal change, increasing awareness this tragic problem, holding elected appointed officials their commitments addressing injustice, obtaining needed intervention disability accommodations lead‐poisoned community educational institutions.