UA’s Spears Named Winner of Public Health Award

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. Ellen Spears, assistant professor in New College and the department of American studies at The University of Alabama, has been chosen as the recipient of 2014 Arthur J. Viseltear Prize for Outstanding Contributions in the History of Public Health for her recent book, published in April by the University of North Carolina Press.

Spears’ book, “Baptized in PCBs: Race, Pollution, and Justice in an All-American Town,” chronicles the link between chemical contamination – particularly polychlorinated biphenyls – and the civil rights history in the city of Anniston.

The Viseltear Prize is awarded for outstanding contribution to public health history through a recent book or for distinguished, lifelong contribution to history and public health scholarship. The award is presented at the Medical Care Section at the annual American Public Health Association meeting. Spears will receive the award Nov. 15-19 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from APHA, a respected organization of public health scholars and many health professionals,” Spears said. “Chemical contamination in communities of color and low-income areas is a widespread problem. I met people in Anniston who were actively working to protect the health of their neighborhood, and they were pretty inspiring.”

Spears’ book tells the story of agri-chemical company Monsanto’s nine-figure settlement with Anniston residents after the company had been accused of dumping PCBs – chemical compounds used as insulating and coolant fluids – into predominately black and working class white neighborhoods in Anniston. Spears began her interviews in 2003, the same year Monsanto settled the lawsuit with plaintiffs in the city.

Spears said there’s a rising interest in chemical policy reform and the coalitions working toward reform.

“What I hope is that the story of Anniston’s history, and the recognition of it, will focus more attention on increasing research, monitoring and the treatment for people affected by toxic chemical exposure,” Spears said. “I really think the story told highlights the urgency in reforming how we regulate toxic chemicals.”

American studies and New College are part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.