In 2000 the city of St. Louis had a childhood lead poisoning rate of 31%, compared to a national average of 10%. The city health department recognized that older housing where lead-based paint was used contributed to lead poisoning disproportionately affecting African Americans and low-income residents. In response, the City of St. Louis Department of Health established Lead Safe St. Louis to provide both remediation services and prevention through outreach and education. The multi-faceted campaign uses social marketing techniques to communicate key lead poisoning prevention and screening messages and brings lead testing and blood level screening into neighborhoods and health fairs. Since 2003, the City of St. Louis has seen a 65% reduction in childhood lead poisoning prevalence, an increase in the number of children engaging in blood lead level screening, and an increase in the availability of lead-free housing.