Legal and Policy Interventions to Address Developmental and Mental Health Impacts of the Flint Water Crisis

Abstract

Abstract

The Flint, Michigan, water crisis, in which lead leached into the city's drinking water, has wreaked havoc on the developmental and mental health of Flint residents, with children being particularly vulnerable to the effects of the crisis. Lead exposure is linked to neurodevelopmental challenges in children, even at very low levels of exposure. In addition, disasters—both natural and manmade—can result in serious negative mental health consequences, such as post-traumatic stress and fear, anxiety, and depression. Given the wide-ranging and long-term nature of these risks, the developmental and mental health of Flint children must be prioritized through response efforts and spending. Proven, evidence-based treatment and interventions should be implemented to give children their best chance at overcoming the effects and trauma of lead exposure. This article examines responsive measures already initiated by federal, state, and local governments to address the negative health consequences of the crisis on children and considers additional legal and policy interventions that may be employed to maximize the developmental and mental health of Flint children after the water crisis.