Bodies grow rapidly during childhood.
What kids consume, good or bad, often affects their growth and development. Children s bodies are more sensitive to chemicals and their activities may result in more dangerous and unanticipated exposures. We know that children with high blood lead levels have a 700 percent greater likelihood of failing to graduate from high school, have lower academic standing in their classes, greater absenteeism, and other disadvantages later in life. The state has many programs to help children, but we must focus our efforts to provide children with enhanced protection from environmental threats. Our children s health initiative will work to achieve three objectives in the next two years that will give Indiana s children greater protection from environmental threats.