Francesca Dominici, Ronnie Levin named to TIME 100 Health list

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Faculty Members Recognized for Influencing Global Health

May 2, 2024 – Two members of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Department of Environmental Health—Francesca Dominici and Ronnie Levin—have been named by TIME as among the 100 individuals who most influenced global health in 2024.

The inaugural TIME 100 Health list, published on May 2, recognizes the impact, innovation, and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals in health. Dominici and Levin were both listed in the category “Catalysts.”

Francesca Dominici’s Impact on Air Pollution

Francesca Dominici, Clarence James Gamble Professor of Biostatistics, Population, and Data Science and faculty director of the Harvard Data Science Initiative, was recognized for her work fighting air pollution. Her research has shown the health risks of fine particulate (PM2.5) pollution—the kind produced by vehicle exhaust, power plants, wildfires, and other sources. In fact, her groundbreaking work drove the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce permissible concentrations of PM2.5 from 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air to 9 micrograms. This reduction means breathing cleaner air for everyone, contributing to a huge public health victory.

Ronnie Levin’s Research on Lead

Ronnie Levin, an instructor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, was chosen for her research on lead, which played a key role in an EPA proposal requiring the replacement of all lead pipes in the U.S. within a decade. Levin, along with Joel Schwartz, professor of environmental epidemiology and Levin’s colleague and husband, conducted a cost-benefit analysis that showed cutting lead in drinking water could save the U.S. more than $8 billion a year in health benefits and at least $2 billion in infrastructure costs. This analysis significantly influenced the EPA’s decision-making process. However, Levin emphasized the importance of good implementation and enforcement for the proposed rule to have a meaningful impact.

Both Dominici and Levin’s work aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. Dominici’s research contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by addressing the health risks associated with air pollution. Levin’s research supports SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, by advocating for the elimination of lead pipes in order to provide safe drinking water for all.

For more information:

• Read the TIME article about Francesca Dominici: Fighting pollution
• Read the TIME article about Ronnie Levin: Leading on lead

Learn more

1. New tougher U.S. air pollution standards shaped by Harvard Chan School research (Harvard Chan School news)
2. Plan to eliminate lead pipes a ‘big win’ for Harvard Chan School scientists (Harvard Chan School news)

Contact: Karen Feldscher

Photo of Francesca Dominici: I Am a Scientist

Photo of Ronnie Levin: Kent Dayton/Harvard Chan School

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Indicator: Reduction in permissible concentrations of PM2.5 from 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air to 9 micrograms.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Indicator: Replacement of all lead pipes in the U.S. within a decade.

Note: The article does not explicitly mention SDG 6, but the issue of lead pipes in the U.S. and the proposed rule by the EPA align with the targets and indicators of SDG 6.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: hsph.harvard.edu

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