By Christina Fernández-Morrow, Hola Iowa
Hola Iowa is partnering with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (IHHS) to bridge a critical communication gap that leaves many Latino children vulnerable to lead poisoning in older homes across the state.
Lead poisoning remains a serious public health concern in Iowa, especially for children living in older homes or underserved communities. Recent findings in Woodbury County have highlighted a troubling gap between Latino families and healthcare providers when it comes to lead poisoning awareness and prevention. According to data from the IHHS, many Latino children are not being tested for lead exposure early enough, and when they are, families often face barriers to understanding results or accessing follow-up care.
In response, the Iowa HHS Bureau of Environmental Health Services is stepping up efforts to engage directly with Latino families by expanding its lead poisoning prevention education and outreach programs through a partnership with Hola Iowa.
As shared in a recent Hola America article, the disconnect stems from multiple factors—language barriers, cultural misunderstandings and a lack of outreach tailored specifically to Latino communities. This reality puts many children at risk of long-term health consequences, including developmental delays, learning problems, and behavioral issues.
A Cultural Connection to Health Education
Our shared goal is simple but urgent: to better inform Latino families about the risks of lead poisoning, the importance of early childhood screening and practical steps for lead-safe living. As a trusted media source in Latino communities across Iowa, Hola Iowa will focus on delivering accurate and culturally relevant health information directly to the people who need it most.
This fall, Hola Iowa will be working hand-in-hand with local public health officials at several community events where large gatherings of Latino families are expected. These events are an opportunity to enjoy cultural traditions, music and food, and to engage community members in meaningful conversations about their health.
Photo by Tar Macias / Hola Iowa
Upcoming Community Outreach Events
Here’s where you’ll find us this September:
- Siouxland Festival – Sept. 21, Sioux City
Held in the heart of Woodbury County, this event is a perfect opportunity to connect with families in a region already identified as a priority for lead poisoning prevention. Hola Iowa and IHHS will host an outreach booth offering bilingual resources, giveaways and one-on-one support to answer questions and share information on how families can get their children tested and homes checked for lead. - Fort Madison Mexican Fiesta – Sept. 12, Fort Madison
This beloved annual celebration draws hundreds of Latino families from the region. Hola Iowa will be on-site with local public health officials to distribute educational materials, provide Spanish-language support, and help attendees navigate available health services related to lead testing and home safety. - LULAC Davenport Fiesta – Sept. 6, Davenport
The team will be at this lively event to help spread the word about lead poisoning prevention. We will engage with families through interactive displays, free lead test kit sign-ups, and live Q&A sessions in both English and Spanish.
Building Trust through Community Presence
These outreach efforts go beyond brochures and flyers. They create face-to-face connections, offering families a safe space to ask questions and ensuring every parent understands that lead exposure is preventable and treatable—when caught early.
Hola Iowa will also support this campaign with digital and print content to amplify awareness across its platforms. Bilingual articles, social media posts, and interviews with health experts and community leaders will help reinforce the message that no family should be left behind when it comes to protecting their children’s health.
Why It Matters
Lead poisoning disproportionately impacts low-income and immigrant families, who are more likely to live in older housing stock or may not have regular access to pediatric healthcare services. By meeting people where they are — both culturally and physically — the partnership can help ensure more children are tested, more homes are made safe and more parents are equipped with the knowledge they need to act.
Kevin Officer, manager of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in the Environmental and Local Public Health Bureau and Iowa HHS who led the early effort said earlier this year, “Our goal is to empower communities to take charge in reversing the trends we are seeing; create an awareness of the issues and educate communities on steps they can take to begin to address the health impacts lead poisoning can have on their children and their future potential.”
As part of this collaboration, Hola Iowa will continue to advocate for equitable healthcare access and public health education tailored to the unique needs of Latino communities across Iowa.
The partnership represents a recognition that effective public health outreach requires cultural competency and community trust. As these prevention efforts expand, the goal remains clear: ensuring no Iowa child suffers the lifelong consequences of preventable lead exposure.
For more information on lead poisoning prevention and resources in Iowa, visit: https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs-and-services/childhood-lead-poisoning-prevention-program
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