April 16, 2025 (Hagatna, Guam) – This week Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order 2025-04, officially launching Guam’s first Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Plan, a historic and critical step toward protecting the island’s most vulnerable populations from lead exposure.
The plan, led by the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) under the leadership of Director Theresa Arriola, also PIHOA Board Vice President, aims to strengthen Guam’s capacity to prevent and respond to lead poisoning by:
Expanding blood lead testing for young children,
Improving data collection and reporting systems,
Accelerating the public health response to environmental lead hazards.
PIHOA is proud to support this vital initiative through CDC funding, working in close collaboration with Guam DPHSS and the Government of Guam.
“Even small amounts of lead can cause lifelong harm. This plan helps us take action early and as one community,” said Director Arriola.
Representing PIHOA in this work are Dr. Gillian Dunn, Regional Health Information Systems & Health Security Coordinator, and Tayla Colton, Lead Prevention Specialist, who oversee the association’s regional efforts to address childhood lead poisoning across the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands.
Together, we’re working to build a lead-free future for all Pacific children.
