Graphic of the week: Lead screening among Ohio Medicaid-enrolled children

Federal data shows that most Ohio children enrolled in Medicaid do not receive blood lead screening tests required by the program, as illustrated above.
 
All children enrolled in Medicaid are required to receive blood lead screening tests at ages 12 months and 24 months through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program (the program is called Healthchek in Ohio).
 
The low rate of testing among Ohio infants is especially concerning because Ohio is one of the states with the highest risk of exposure to lead, according to a recent study.
 
Lead exposure is considered unsafe at any level and can cause damage to the brain and nervous system that can lead to learning, behavior, health and speech problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As HPIO explained in its 2025 brief, Factors Contributing to Child and Youth Mental Health Struggles, childhood lead exposure can also negatively influence mental health into adulthood.
 
Lead exposure is preventable. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a list of recommendations for states to improve blood lead screening rates and reporting so that children can receive early care and communities can implement neighborhood-based prevention strategies.
 
Reducing lead poisoning is one of Ohio’s many opportunities to improve environmental health. According to HPIO’s 2026 Health Value Dashboard, while metrics related to air, water and toxic substances have improved over the past decade, Ohio still performs worse on them than most other states, ranking 38th overall for physical environment.