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Mary
A.
Fox
, PhD, MPH

Associate Practice Professor

Mary Fox, PhD '01, MPH, develops cumulative risk assessments that consider how biological, chemical, environmental, and social factors together affect the public's health.

Contact Info

615 N. Wolfe St., E7038
Baltimore
Maryland
21205
US        

Research Interests

environmental health; risk assessment; cumulative risk; public policy; community health

Experiences & Accomplishments
Education
PhD
Johns Hopkins University
2001
MPH
University of Rochester
1989
Overview

My research exploits the complementary aspects of the epidemiological, toxicological, and environmental sciences to develop and refine quantitative risk assessment methods to improve the public’s health. The new concepts of cumulative risk assessment present an opportunity to create interdisciplinary approaches to public and environmental health because of the multiple determinants of health framework that serves as its foundation. My work addresses the health effects of exposure to chemical mixtures including whether differential exposure to mixtures contributes to racial and ethnic health disparities. Current US environmental policies address one chemical at a time while actual exposures occur as multiple chemical mixtures. Through my research I seek to inform environmental policies that account for multiple chemical and non chemical exposures.

Honors & Awards

Bloomberg American Health Initiative Spark Award, 2021
Bloomberg American Health Initiative Translation and Dissemination Award, 2017
American Association for the Advancement of Science Risk Policy Fellowship, 2001 
Centers for Disease Control Dissertation Grant, 1999 
Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute Scholarship, 1999 
Society for Risk Analysis Student Abstract Award, 1998 
Avoca Rod and Gun Club Environmental Scholarship, 1996 
Phi Beta Kappa, 1987

Select Publications

Highlights of recent work advancing environmental public health in communities and the science and practice of risk assessment.

  • Fox, M.A., Agarwalla, V., Iuliano, K.R., Munroe, J.H., Nachman, K.E., Burke, T.A. (2024) Applying user-centered design to improve drinking water consumer confidence reports: A Baltimore case study. PLOS Water 3(4): e0000162. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pwat.0000162

  • Fox, M.A., Sinkar, S., Bechard, M. (2023) Health and Equity in Transportation Health Impact Assessments: A Retrospective Analysis. Journal of Transport & Health https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2023.101675(link is external)

  • Fox, M.A., Niemeier, R.T., Hudson, N., Siegel, M.R., Dotson, G.S. (2021) Cumulative risks from stressor exposures and personal risk factors in the workplace: Examples from a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (18): 5850 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115850

  • Fox, M., Zuidema, C., Bauman, B., Burke, T., Sheehan, M. (2019) Integrating public health into climate change policy and planning: State of practice update. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16(18):E3232. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16183232.

  • Fox, M.A., Brewer, L.E., Martin, L. (2017) An Overview of Literature Topics Related to Current Concepts, Methods, Tools, and Applications for Cumulative Risk Assessment (2007-2016). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14(4): E389. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14040389.

Projects
Center for Advancing Research on Transportation Emissions, Energy and Health
Cumulative Risk Assessment for Occupational Health
First Responder Health: Review of Virginia's Disease Presumptions
Ending Drinking Water Disparities: A Community Right to Know Approach