Seattle-King County, Washington

Empowering Families Through Healthy Home Assessments in Seattle-King County

In Seattle–King County, childhood lead exposure remains a significant risk, particularly for families in underserved communities and older housing. Because young children spend much of their time at home, everyday practices—such as damp dusting, mopping, and removing shoes indoors—can play a critical role in reducing exposure. Recognizing this, Public Health – Seattle & King County prioritized strategies that empower families with the knowledge and tools to create safer home environments.

In 2025, the Lead and Toxics Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program integrated lead prevention into a broader healthy homes initiative focused on South Seattle and South King County—areas with higher-risk populations and housing conditions. Partnering with trusted community organizations, the program trained 23 community health workers (CHWs) to deliver culturally relevant education, conduct in-home assessments, and distribute resources. These efforts combined education, hazard identification, and practical support—such as providing HEPA vacuums, air purifiers, and safer cleaning supplies—to help families reduce environmental risks in their homes.

The initiative reached 472 families with education and distributed 377 healthy homes kits, leading to meaningful behavior change. A total of 350 families reported increased knowledge of lead risk reduction, adoption of safer household practices, and greater awareness of the importance of blood lead testing for their children. By working through community partnerships and addressing environmental health risks at their source, Seattle–King County is demonstrating how public health programs can effectively prevent lead exposure and protect children where they live, learn, and play.