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Lessons Learned From the Crisis in Flint, Michigan Regarding the Effects of Contaminated Water on Maternal and Child Health

Published:January 31, 2017DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2016.10.012

      Abstract

      The Flint, Michigan water crisis raised awareness about the dangers of lead-tainted drinking water and the role of the nurse in addressing such a crisis. Although lead exposure is dangerous for all people, research indicates that pregnant and nursing women and their infants are especially vulnerable to prenatal and postnatal lead exposure. This information is of national importance because of the aging infrastructure of American cities and the likelihood of similar problems in other locations.

      Keywords

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      Biography

      Melva Gale Craft-Blacksheare, DNP, CNM, RN, is an assistant professor in the Department of Nursing, University of Michigan, Flint, MI.