February 22, 2016
By: Sylvia Mathews Burwell, HHS Secretary
Last week, I traveled to Flint to hear from members of the community about the challenges that they are facing and to share information about the federal government’s work to respond. And I had the chance to meet Cynthia, a working mom with a 6-year-old son. Cynthia had heard about Flint’s water on the news, but she didn’t think going to the doctor was something she needed to do. And working two jobs made it hard to find the time.
But the more she heard about it, the more she worried about her son’s health. She wasn’t sure who to trust and what she really needed to do. So when he couldn’t shake a cold, she went ahead and had him tested for lead exposure. His results showed that he had been exposed to lead.
The county health department almost immediately contacted Cynthia and arranged for a home inspector to stop by her house. Like anyone, she had worries. From the mundane: was her home tidy enough? To the more serious: would she be more or less confused by what she heard? But after meeting with the home inspector for four hours, Cynthia had more than enough information and the inspector’s number to call with any questions. She told me that the visit was so helpful that she finally slept well, for the first time in days.
We’re in Flint for the many people like Cynthia who are worried about their health, and the health of their families. Last month, President Obama declared a state of emergency for this community and directed the Department of Health & Human Services to coordinate the federal response. We are doing everything we can to support the state and local community.
READ MORE: On the Ground in FlintThe county health department almost immediately contacted Cynthia and arranged for a home inspector to stop by her house. Like anyone, she had worries. From the mundane: was her home tidy enough? To the more serious: would she be more or less confused by what she heard? But after meeting with the home inspector for four hours, Cynthia had more than enough information and the inspector’s number to call with any questions. She told me that the visit was so helpful that she finally slept well, for the first time in days.
We’re in Flint for the many people like Cynthia who are worried about their health, and the health of their families. Last month, President Obama declared a state of emergency for this community and directed the Department of Health & Human Services to coordinate the federal response. We are doing everything we can to support the state and local community.
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