Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha On Leading Public Health Initiative in Flint
As the leader of this medical effort, Hanna-Attisha says she sees the emotional trauma of Flint residents every day.
A group of physicians is working to combat the long-term effects of lead exposure in Flint children. The newly-launched Pediatric Public Health Initiative is an effort by Michigan State University, Hurley Children’s Hospital and the Genessee County Health Department. The project’s leader is Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who tells WDET’s Annamarie Sysling about the trajectory of her work, as she tries to restore hope among the residents of Flint.
Things have really ramped up in terms of emergency response, so we finally have door-to-door efforts. I actually saw a Mom in clinic, who just got her filter four days ago. It’s hard to believe that people still haven’t gotten filters, but we expected it because we have so many barriers keeping people from where they need to be.
She says that while bottled water and filters are solving the problems of today, donations to a newly-created fund, Flintkids.org, help to ensure a bright future for the city’s children.
