There is a relationship between maternal anxiety and lead levels in children. Data were collected from the mothers of 15 children with "normal" lead levels and 15 children with elevated blood levels. Anxiety was measured by the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale. All families lived in areas with poor housing. Treatment of lead poisoning tends to focus on the symptom alone. With lead poisoning and other diseases where family cooperation is important, policy should expand medical treatment to include family support services. Greater attention needs to be paid to conditions such as lead poisoning, where the medical profession does not seem able or willing to set up appropriate conditions for treatment. (Author)