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We are the survivors of slow-motion epidemics

Dr Alice Stewart realised how things in everyday life could be as deadly as any infectious disease. Her pioneering work on the effects of low-level radiation during pregnancy was just one of many achievements in a controversial life dedicated to social medicine.

Words by Angela Saward

  • In pictures

About the author

Angela Saward

Angela is a research development specialist at Wellcome Collection with a background in film and sound archives. She has worked with artists and television producers on various archive-film-led projects. She co-curated ‘Here Comes Good Health!’ in 2012, and works with the exhibitions, publishing and policy teams on sourcing collections material.