Dr. Olden was among the first to assert that human health and chronic disease result from gene-environment interactions. He called for scientists to take advantage of newfound knowledge from the human genome project and from proteomics to improve environmental health decision making. While at the NIEHS, he emphasized involving community groups in the research examining their own health and environment. He was also an advocate and pioneer in elevating health disparities to the national agenda. The day before the award ceremony, Dr. Olden spoke at HSPH on fixing the U.S. health care system. (See article )

Ms. Brockovich-Ellis' environmental advocacy began on behalf of the residents of Hinkley, California, after she discovered evidence that the town's residents had been exposed to toxic metals in the water supply coming from a neighboring power plant. This discovery resulted in one of the largest direct action lawsuits of its kind, ending in a settlement of $333 million in damages by Pacific Gas and Electric Company to more than 600 Hinkley residents. The award to Brockovich-Ellis was made in acknowledgement of the importance of ordinary citizens in raising concerns about the environment.

The Julius B. Richmond Award is given each year by the Division of Public Health Practice on behalf of the School. Julius Richmond, John D. MacArthur Professor of Health Policy Emeritus at Harvard, was U.S. Surgeon General from 1977 to 1981, during which time he issued the groundbreaking Report on Tobacco and set targets for the health of the American public with Healthy People 2000. He was the first national director of the Head Start Program in 1965, and he has provided innovative leadership throughout his career to protecting vulnerable populations, children, and all Americans.

The award was presented at a dinner at the New Research Building, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston. For a fuller description of the award and a list of past recipients see: www.hsph.harvard.edu/press/releases/press10182005.html.