Des Moines

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program oversees blood lead testing of children, provides case management services when children are identified as lead-poisoned, and conducts education and outreach services regarding childhood lead poisoning. Childhood lead poisoning has significant effects on the health of children and on community health. Lead has adverse effects on nearly all organ systems in the body. It is especially harmful to the developing brains and nervous systems of children under the age of six years.

Iowa's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program works to ensures that all newborns and toddlers with hearing loss are identified as early as possible and provided with timely and appropriate audiological, educational, medical interventions and family support. The EHDI program is also dedicated to providing unbiased support to families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Given the serious ramifications of late identification of hearing loss, it is important to perform newborn hearing screening and as soon as possible make diagnostic referrals for infants who do not pass the screening. Because of this, Iowa legislature passed a law (Iowa Code section 135.1310) which requires universal hearing screening of all newborns and infants in Iowa. The law further provides that any birthing hospital, birth center, physician, any facility including Area Education Agencies(AEAs), audiologists, and other health care professional are legally required to report to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) the results of a hearing screen, re-screen, or diagnostic assessment for any child under three years of age.

Healthy Child Care Iowa supports registered nurse child care health consultants (CCHC) throughout Iowa. The child care nurse consultants provide on-site consultations, technical assistance, and training to child care providers. Businesses may call or send questions to a child care nurse consultant about health and safety policies, health programs, health of personnel, and specific child health or safety issues.

There is also a toll-free talkline available to child care providers and families for health related questions and to be connected to a child care nurse consultant. The Healthy Families Hotline number is 1.800.369.2229. Multiple language interpretation is available.

In Iowa, newborns have a heel stick to screen for specific treatable metabolic and inherited disorders shortly after birth. Iowa law requires that newborns are screened for congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital hypo hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis, expanded panel disorder, galactosemia, hemoglobinopthies, and pilot studies are currently taking place for biotinidase deficiency and expanded tandem mass spectrometry. The Iowa Neonatal Metabolic Screening Program identifies babies who may have one of these disorders and alerts the baby's health care provider to the need for further testing and special care. With early diagnosis and medical treatment, complications from these serious but uncommon conditions can usually be prevented. When there is a concerning result, a follow-up consultant works with the primary care provider and family to arrange diagnostic testing and determine what the next steps are so that the baby receives optimal care. One step may be to link families and their local physicians and staff to comprehensive care programs. Follow-up consultation, education, and treatment by professionals in Genetics, Hematology (The Iowa Hemoglobinopathy Screening and Comprehensive Care Program or Endocrinology) are available.

Iowa Teen Line provides information on health and relationship concerns and related resources. The line is free, confidential, and answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a contract with Iowa State University Extension. Iowa Teen Line is not a crisis or “hot” line.

Quitline Iowa is a free telephone service for Iowa residents trying to become tobacco free. Members receive special tools, research-based information, and a community of other individuals trying to become tobacco free. Services are individualized to meet specific needs of each person.

Smoke Free Homes, a program of the Iowa Department of Public Heath, provides smoke free rental property listings on the Smoke Free Homes Registry as a public service. The Smoke Free Homes Iowa site also provides information about Iowa's Smokefree Air Act, information about second and third hand smoke, and resources for quitting smoking.

Disclaimer: Smoke Free Homes cannot guarantee their accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Renters are advised to thoroughly review the no smoking policy language, ask the property manager questions about the policy and its enforcement, and to inspect the property and to talk to current residents before signing any contract.

Everyone needs help sometimes. If you or a loved one are facing a problem with alcohol, drugs, gambling, mental health or suicidal thoughts, you’re not alone. That is why the Iowa Department of Public Health has created YourLifeIowa.org so Iowans can chat live, text, or call and get reliable information and treatment options, and find nearby help. Your Life Iowa is your everyday life support.