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Combating the Lead Poisoning Crisis in Cleveland

Almost one year ago, The Plain  Dealer began  a series chronicling Cleveland's legacy of lead poising and how it connected with current concerns about education and violence among youth. The problem isn't new. Since 2000, approximately 40,000 children in Cuyahoga County suffered from lead poisoning; 80 percent of them lived in the city of Cleveland.

It's a health crisis not unique to Cleveland.  According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 37 million homes and apartments, most in poor, urban areas subject to decades of housing discrimination, still contain some lead paint in walls and woodwork. Lack of funding - both to eliminate lead paint in homes and to test children and adults exposed to lead - is cited as the reason this problem remains largely unsolved.

What efforts are underway to combat lead poisoning in Cleveland? What can we learn from successful programs in other cities? This conversation features leaders from across Ohio who share how to address lead poisoning in our urban centers.

Panelists include:

Robert Cole, Managing Attorney, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.

Rachel Dissell, reporter, The Plain Dealer

Natoya J. Walker Minor, Chief of Public Affairs, City of Cleveland

This conversation is moderated by WKYC news reporter  Andrew Horansky.