Anniston Environmental Health Research Consortium to Discuss PCB Study Findings

            On April 1, 2008, researchers from the Anniston Environmental Health Research Consortium will present findings to the community from five different studies conducted in the Anniston area. The meeting is to be held at Greater Thankful Baptist Church, Family Life Center at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.             

            The Health Study was funded in 2003 by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) for $3.2 million dollars. After collaboration with the community, five separate studies were identified as priorities for the area.  

            “At the meeting, we want to discuss the findings with the community and respond to any questions or concerns. Our purpose is to ensure that participants of the studies, as well as other community members, have an understanding of these results.” says Dr. Scott Bartell, Co-Principal Investigator. “We are so thankful for the input from the community and could not have been successful without them. We believe we have targeted the issues of greatest concern to the community-at-large. We must generate this information to the citizens, community leaders, and health care providers so that all have a greater understanding of the effects of PCB exposure.”

             The studies conducted include the following:

v     The Anniston Diabetes Study: Is PCB Exposure Associated with Diabetes

v     A study of neurocognitive and neurobehavioral function in children following PCB exposure

v     Anniston Community Health Survey

v     Exposure Assessment Program: Geospatial Modeling

v     Anniston-Calhoun County PCB Focus Group Study

             Christie Shelton, RN, MSN and Co-Principal Investigator, explains “The Consortium worked with the community to identify health concerns that were most important. The partnership developed with the community was fundamental to the success of this project”.

 

For more information, contact SHELTON, CHRISTIE (2003) B.S. and M.S.N., Jacksonville State University Project Director, Anniston Environmental Research Consortium and Instructor of Nursing/Project Director, Anniston Environmental Research Consortium at Lurleen  B. Wallace College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 256-782-8427 or cshelton@jsu.edu.

 

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