Children & Youth
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels

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Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York State Department of Health

What does this measure?

The number of children under age 6 with blood lead levels 10 micrograms per deciliter or higher as a proportion of those tested within the year (either with a finger stick or venous blood screening). Only children who did not previously have an elevated blood lead level are included in this measure.

Why is this important?

Exposure to lead, even small amounts, significantly increases a child's risk of developing long-lasting cognitive, physiological and behavioral problems.

How is our region performing?

In 2019, 0.8% of children tested in the region had elevated blood lead levels, an overall decline of 76% since 2000. The regional rate is higher than the statewide rate of 0.4%. The rate in Monroe County was 0.7%, slightly lower than the region.

It is important to note that not all children are tested for lead, despite a state law requiring them to be tested. Statewide, about two-thirds of children are tested between 9 and 18 months of age.

Notes about the data

In recent years, rates of elevated lead levels for all counties in the region except Monroe are considered unstable by the Health Department because they are based upon small numbers, which makes it difficult to distinguish random fluctuation from true changes. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the fourth quarter, with a two-year lag.

Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels
20002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
NYS0.7%0.6%0.5%0.5%0.5%0.4%0.6%0.5%0.4%0.4%0.4%0.4%0.4%
NYS (excluding NYC)2.0%1.7%1.7%1.6%1.3%1.2%1.0%0.9%0.8%0.7%0.8%0.7%0.7%1.2%0.9%0.6%0.7%0.7%0.6%0.7%
Region3.2%2.8%3.1%2.7%2.0%1.9%1.8%1.4%1.3%1.1%1.1%0.8%0.8%1.4%1.2%0.7%0.9%0.8%0.8%0.8%
Monroe3.8%3.3%3.7%3.2%2.4%2.0%1.9%1.6%1.5%1.1%1.1%0.8%0.8%1.4%1.2%0.7%0.8%0.8%0.6%0.7%
Surrounding Counties1.9%1.8%1.8%1.6%1.2%1.5%1.4%0.9%0.9%0.9%0.9%0.7%0.8%1.3%1.3%0.8%1.0%0.9%1.1%0.8%
Genesee1.7%1.8%1.6%1.5%0.8%1.7%1.8%0.8%0.7%1.3%1.1%0.6%0.3%1.4%1.6%0.6%1.2%0.7%1.6%0.3%
Livingston0.7%1.8%1.8%1.5%1.6%2.2%0.6%1.2%0.9%0.3%1.2%0.3%0.5%1.0%1.1%1.3%0.3%1.0%0.4%0.3%
Ontario1.6%1.2%1.4%1.5%0.4%1.3%0.7%0.4%0.3%0.5%0.8%0.5%0.5%0.9%0.9%0.7%0.6%1.0%0.8%1.0%
Orleans3.4%3.8%3.0%2.0%2.7%2.5%2.2%3.4%2.5%1.8%1.7%1.3%1.9%1.1%2.5%0.8%1.5%1.7%1.6%1.3%
Seneca0.3%1.1%1.8%2.3%1.1%0.6%0.5%0.2%0.6%1.7%0.9%0.5%0.7%1.5%1.0%0.3%0.5%0.7%1.9%1.7%
Wayne1.9%1.4%2.0%1.3%1.3%1.5%1.5%0.9%1.0%0.8%0.6%0.7%1.0%1.4%0.9%0.4%0.9%0.4%0.7%0.7%
Wyoming2.1%0.3%0.9%1.1%1.4%0.7%1.9%0.6%0.9%0.2%0.3%0.8%0.9%1.3%2.1%0.9%1.1%0.3%0.8%1.0%
Yates4.0%3.7%2.8%3.7%3.2%1.3%3.2%0.6%3.0%2.9%2.4%1.5%0.6%2.7%2.1%2.0%3.5%1.9%2.3%1.7%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York State Department of Health
Notes: Proportion of all children under 6 screened in a year and found to have elevated blood lead levels. Only children not previously identified with elevated lead levels are included.




Number of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels
20002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
NYS3,5393,0102,7172,9472,5752,3553,2052,6421,7871,9192,0871,7721,884
NYS (excluding NYC)3,6723,1783,1752,8052,5942,2832,0981,9011,6941,5761,7621,5921,5952,5441,9301,0951,3101,5051,3951,413
Region597505579511381341355280267210212158163274254126155173161157
Monroe48940747341430925927322120415114911211219116682961118497
Surrounding Counties108981069772828259635963465183884459627760
Genesee12111196101566995313155107163
Livingston4121012101548629248882943
Ontario231722226191075812881314108161315
Orleans262718131511111913997106144812119
Seneca14794221374236412398
Wayne24162516171922131514101215211461361110
Wyoming715563835125681356256
Yates11108118310210985286510786

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York State Department of Health
Notes: Number of all children under 6 screened in a year and found to have elevated blood lead levels. Only children not previously identified with elevated lead levels are included.











Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS


INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic REGIONAL VALUE YEAR NYS COMPARISON TREND | REGION
Prenatal Care 78% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights 8.4% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Infant Mortality Rate 6.9 2017-19 2 0
Maintaining
Infant Mortality Rate, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels 0.8% 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Children in Poverty 18% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Single-Parent Families 39% 2017-21 2 1
Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect 20 2020 2 1
Increasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions 1.8 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Pregnancy 1.3% 2019 3 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Births 12 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Tourism Spending $1,399 2021 1 0
Maintaining
Recreation Spending $83 2021 1 -1
Decreasing
Voter Registration Rate 84% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Voter Participation Rate 64% 2020 3 1
Increasing
Registered Library Borrowers 55% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Library Visits 2.5 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Charitable Contributions as a Percentage of Income 0.8% 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Households Without Vehicles 10% 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Total Population 1.4% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Age 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Workers’ Commute Time, by Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Pedestrians 2.6 2022 3 0
Maintaining
Population by Age and Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Cyclists 1.4 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Disengaged Youth, Ages 16 to 19 6% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Crashes Resulting in Injuries and Fatalities 60 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income $64,995 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 24 2022 2 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Miles of Dedicated Bike Infrastructure 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty 13% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
RTS Ridership 8 2022 0 -1
Decreasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
RTS On-time Performance 0 10 Not Applicable*
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 23.7 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Public Assistance Recipients 1.2% 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Energy Burden of Households 0 10 Not Applicable*
Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications 22% 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Females Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Solar Energy Capacity 122.8 2022 3 1
Increasing
Seniors Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Households Receiving SNAP 13% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Female Seniors Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gas Usage for Household Heating 74% 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Workforce 4.7% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Tax Filers Receiving Earned Income Tax Credit 14% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Communities 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
EITC Dollars $153 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Ports 165 2023 0 -1
Decreasing
Change in Total Jobs 2.3% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Asthma Hospitalizations 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Number of Business Establishments by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts 35% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Jobs by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts in Low-Income Areas 20% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Sector Shares of Regional Total Employment 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Unemployment Rate 4.9% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Average Salary by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 12% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Employment-to-Population Ratio 59% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Prekindergarten Participation 41% 2021 2 1
Increasing
School Spending Per Student $23,561 2020 1 1
Increasing
Instructional Spending Per Student $16,983 2020 1 1
Increasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Grade 3 English 37% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 English by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 English by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math 40% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 Math by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English 39% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Grade 8 English by Student Subgroup 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English by Race/Ethnicity 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 Math 49% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Regents Algebra 1 73% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Regents English 83% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate 88% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Cohort Graduation Rate, Beyond Four Years 90% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Without Health Insurance 5% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Supply of Doctors 35.3 2019 1 1
Increasing
Mortality Rate 693 2019 1 -1
Decreasing
Chlamydia Rate 53 2020 2 1
Increasing
Chlamydia Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rate 37 2020 1 1
Increasing
Maternal Health, by Race/Ethnicity 2018-20 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Early Syphilis Rates 2.8 2020 3 1
Increasing
Early Syphilis Rates within Monroe County, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with HIV 105 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with AIDS 124 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Percent of Days with Good Air Quality 0 10 Not Applicable*
Alcohol-related Crashes 2.7 2021 2 -1
Decreasing
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment by Primary Substance 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Median Home Value $151,405 2017-21 1 1
Increasing
Median Rental Prices $936 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Homeowners 2.3 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Overall Housing Cost Burden 28% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters 32% 2017-21 3 10 Not Applicable*
Rent Burdened Households 48% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Homeownership Rate 68% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Vacant Housing Units 9% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Homeless Persons 0 10 Not Applicable*
Serious Crimes 165 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Violent Crimes 25 2021 3 1
Increasing
Victims of Domestic Violence 59 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates 10.0 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Arrest Rates 125.2 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Arrest Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Per-Capita Spending for Local Government $3,731 2019 0 1
Increasing
Female to Male Earnings Ratio 0.70 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
*No or multiple regional values for this indicator


Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS





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