A special registryfor people affected by the Flint water crisis moves into a new phase next month.
The ill-fated 2014 switch of the city’s drinking water source from Detroit water to the Flint River led to a cascade of events.
Damaged pipes leached lead into the drinking water, elevating blood lead levels in children. Many Flint residents complained of skin irritation and other health problems. Dozens of people became sick with Legionnaires' disease, with at least dozen people dying of the pneumonia-like illness.
The city’s water was switched back to Detroit water in late 2015. But many Flint residents say their health issues have persisted.
More than 5,000 people pre-enrolled in the Flint Registry, with an estimated 130,000 eligible to join the program to connect them to health care and other programs.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is leading the effort to get people signed up, starting next month.
“Not only will it benefit the people to sign up, because it will get them connected to resources, it will also help us answer the question, ‘How is Flint doing? How is Flint doing as a whole?'” says Dr. Hanna-Attisha, “And when we know that we can continue to advocate for additional resources that will help the city of Flint?”
The registry program is funded by a four-year federal grant.
Dr. Hanna-Attisha hopes to get more funding for future years.
