Jonathan Levy, ScD
Chair and Professor
Boston University School of Public Health
Environmental Health

ScD, Harvard School of Public Health
BA, Harvard College

Pronouns: he/him/his



Dr. Levy is Chair of the Department of Environmental Health. His research centers on urban environmental exposure and health risk modeling, with an emphasis on spatiotemporal exposure patterns and related environmental justice issues. Application areas include air pollution, climate change, and COVID-19. Recent and ongoing research topics include spatial patterns of air pollution in near-airport communities, the cardiovascular health effects of aviation-related noise, the public health co-benefits and equity implications of investments to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector, the application of systems science approaches to evaluate the benefits of housing interventions on pediatric asthma, and the patterns and predictors of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. He co-directed the Center for Research on Environmental and Social Stressors in Housing Across the Life Course (CRESSH), which involved interdisciplinary research activities connecting environmental epidemiology, exposure science, and health disparities modeling, with a focus on the indoor environment and community-engaged research. He currently serves as an Associate Director of the URBAN PhD program.

He has been a member of several National Research Council committees, including the Committee on Science for EPA's Future, the Committee on Health Impact Assessment, and the Committee on Improving Risk Analysis Approaches Used by the US Environmental Protection Agency. He also served on the Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis, which provided guidance to EPA on the impact of the Clean Air Act on health, the economy, and the environment.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

I have tried to center DEIJ and topics related to anti-racism in much of my research as well as my activities as department chair. For example, in recent research related to COVID-19, we have focused on the implications of missing race and ethnicity data on understanding disparities, and we examined evidence for disparities in cases, deaths, and vaccination status in Massachusetts. In an ongoing grant related to evaluating the health benefits of transportation interventions, we have formally examined issues of exposure inequities, guided in part by a community-driven environmental justice advisory group. I have also tried in my scholarship to not stop with racial categorization and explicitly call out racist policies, including in a recent article calling for us to move from characterizing to addressing racial/ethnic inequities. In addition, over the past year or so, I gave a number of seminars in which I attempted to grapple with how anti-racism connects with core areas of environmental health (titles included “What Do Antiracist Exposure Science and Risk Assessment Look Like?”, “Racial Disparities in COVID-19 in Massachusetts: The Role of Data in Advancing Health Equity”, “Incorporating Environmental Justice Concepts into Exposure Science”, “Addressing Air Pollution Inequities in Massachusetts”, and “Tools for Assessing Cumulative Health Risk in Low-Income Communities and Communities of Color”).

At a departmental level, we have centered DEI activities, including standing up a robust committee with faculty, staff, and student engagement; creating a compensated DEI leadership role; developing and implementing new processes for recruitment of prospective students and faculty from diverse backgrounds; and developing departmental working agreements that would help create “brave spaces” in which complex topics related to identity could be openly discussed. I also serve on racial justice committees at multiple local schools.


Community Measurements of Aviation Emissions Contribution to Ambient Air Quality
09/20/2013 - 12/31/2026 (Multi-PI)
PI: Jonathan Levy, ScD
Department of Transportation/FAA


Advancing Community Resilience to Cumulative Climate Impacts in the Mystic River Watershed
11/01/2022 - 10/31/2025 (Multi-PI)
PI: Jonathan Levy, ScD
Environmental Protection Agency


A preconception cohort study of air pollution, fertility, and miscarriage
07/01/2018 - 12/31/2023 (Multi-PI)
PI: Jonathan Levy, ScD
NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
5R01ES028923-05

Boston UniverCity: Partnering graduate students with cities to tackle urban environmental challenges
09/01/2017 - 08/31/2023 (Multi-PI)
PI: Jonathan Levy, ScD
National Science Foundation
DGE-1735087

Transportation, Equity, Climate, and Health - Regional to Local Evaluation of Transportation Climate Policy Options
12/18/2020 - 06/30/2022 (Subcontract PI)
President and Fellows of Harvard College dba Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Barr Fdn, Inc


Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course (COVID Supplement)
09/01/2020 - 08/31/2021 (Multi-PI)
PI: Jonathan Levy, ScD
President and Fellows of Harvard College dba Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health NIH NIMHD
3P50MD010428-05S1

Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course (Administrative Core Supplement)
10/01/2017 - 08/31/2021 (Multi-PI)
PI: Jonathan Levy, ScD
President and Fellows of Harvard College dba Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health NIH NIMHD
5P50MD010428-05

Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course(Project 1)
06/01/2016 - 08/31/2021 (Multi-PI)
PI: Jonathan Levy, ScD
President and Fellows of Harvard College dba Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health NIH NIMHD
5P50MD010428-05

Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course(Project 3)
07/24/2015 - 08/31/2021 (Multi-PI)
PI: Jonathan Levy, ScD
President and Fellows of Harvard College dba Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health NIH NIMHD
5P50MD010428-05

Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors (Administrative Core)
07/24/2015 - 08/31/2021 (Multi-PI)
PI: Jonathan Levy, ScD
President and Fellows of Harvard College dba Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health NIH NIMHD
5P50MD010428-05

Showing 10 of 26 results. Show All Results


Title


Yr Title Project-Sub Proj Pubs
2020 Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course 3P50MD010428-05S1 24
2019 Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course 5P50MD010428-05 24
2019 Project 2: Assessing the Relation of Chemical and Non-Chemical Stressors with Risk-Taking Behavior and Related Outcomes among Adolescents Living near the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site 5P42ES007381-23-8624 413
2018 Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course 3P50MD010428-04S1 24
2018 Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course 5P50MD010428-04 24
2018 Project 2: Assessing the Relation of Chemical and Non-Chemical Stressors with Risk-Taking Behavior and Related Outcomes among Adolescents Living near the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site 5P42ES007381-22-8624 413
2017 Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course 3P50MD010428-03S1 24
2017 Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course 5P50MD010428-03 24
2017 Project 2: Assessing the Relation of Chemical and Non-Chemical Stressors with Risk-Taking Behavior and Related Outcomes among Adolescents Living near the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site 2P42ES007381-21-8624 413
2016 Disparities in Exposure and Health Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors Across the Life Course 5P50MD010428-02 24
Showing 10 of 15 results. Show All Results

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

iCite Analysis       Copy PMIDs To Clipboard

  1. Khalili R, Legaspi JM, Fabian MP, Levy JI, Korrick SA, Vieira VM. Multiple Prenatal Exposures and Acute Care Clinical Encounters for Asthma among Children Born to Mothers Living near a Superfund Site. Am J Epidemiol. 2024 Apr 03.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38576180
     
  2. Templer P, Atherton KF, Conrad-Rooney E, Ho H, Hutyra LR, Ianniello CF, Kashian DR, Levy JI, Meshoulam D, Urban MC. Strengthening graduate education and addressing environmental challenges through solutions-oriented partnerships and interdisciplinary training. Sustain Earth Rev. 2024; 3(7). View Publication
  3. Wesselink AK, Kirwa K, Hystad P, Kaufman JD, Szpiro AA, Willis MD, Savitz DA, Levy JI, Rothman KJ, Mikkelsen EM, Laursen ASD, Hatch EE, Wise LA. Ambient air pollution and rate of spontaneous abortion. Environ Res. 2024 Apr 01; 246:118067.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38157969; PMCID: PMC10947860; DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.118067;
     
  4. Levy JI. Milbank Quarterly. Getting the lead out: The public health benefits of infrastructure upgrades. 2023. View Publication
  5. Connolly CL, Milando CW, Vermeer K, Ashmore J, Carvalho L, Levy JI, Fabian MP. Simulating Energy Use, Indoor Temperatures, and Utility Cost Impacts Amidst a Warming Climate in a Multi-family Housing Model. J Urban Health. 2023 Dec; 100(6):1234-1245.View Related Profiles. PMID: 37947996; PMCID: PMC10728384; DOI: 10.1007/s11524-023-00790-3;
     
  6. Levy J. The Conversation. When science showed in the 1970s that gas stoves produced harmful indoor air pollution, the industry reached for tobacco’s PR playbook. 2023. View Publication
  7. Wesselink AK, Hystad P, Kirwa K, Kaufman JD, Willis MD, Wang TR, Szpiro AA, Levy JI, Savitz DA, Rothman KJ, Hatch EE, Wise LA. Air pollution and fecundability in a North American preconception cohort study. Environ Int. 2023 Nov; 181:108249.View Related Profiles. PMID: 37862861; PMCID: PMC10841991; DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108249;
     
  8. Nguyen DD, Levy JI, Kim C, Lane KJ, Simon MC, Hart JE, Whitsel EA, VoPham T, Malwitz A, Peters JL. Characterizing temporal trends in populations exposed to aircraft noise around U.S. airports: 1995-2015. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2023 Sep 21.View Related Profiles. PMID: 37735518
     
  9. Haley BM, Patil P, Levy JI, Spangler KR, Tieskens KF, Carnes F, Peng X, Klevens RM, Troppy TS, Fabian MP, Lane KJ, Leibler JH. Evaluating COVID-19 Risk to Essential Workers by Occupational Group: A Case Study in Massachusetts. J Community Health. 2024 Feb; 49(1):91-99.View Related Profiles. PMID: 37507525; PMCID: PMC10823035; DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01249-x;
     
  10. Buckley S, Connolly CL, Levy JI, Templer PH, Ashmore J, Carvalho L, Phillips N, Fabian MP. Carbon, indoor air, energy and financial benefits of coupled ventilation upgrade and enhanced rooftop garden installation: an interdisciplinary climate mitigation approach. Sustainable Cities and Society. 2023; 97:104792. View Publication
Showing 10 of 297 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 297 publications over 28 distinct years, with a maximum of 21 publications in 2007

YearPublications
19971
19987
19994
20008
20014
200215
200312
20045
20059
200617
200721
200815
200911
201010
201115
201214
20139
20149
20156
201613
201710
201812
20196
202014
202110
202219
202319
20242


Recent (within 3 months)

Four years of COVID: Fewer people are dying but the virus ‘is still with us’

Boston Globe 3/10/2024

Gas stoves will likely not be banned in the US anytime soon

Fox 3/6/2024

Gas stoves will likely not be banned in the US anytime soon

Fox 5 NY 3/6/2024

Boston Amplifies Clean Air Efforts, Swapping 80 Dorchester Gas Stoves for Electrics with $1M Federal Grant

Hoodline 3/5/2024

City to launch pilot program to replace gas stoves with electric in Dorchester

The Boston Globe 3/3/2024

Older

With new COVID variant on horizon, low vaccination rates and stark disparities could make for a ‘miserable winter’

Boston.com 12/22/2023

With new COVID variant on horizon, low vaccination rates and stark disparities could make for a ‘miserable winter’

The Boston Globe 12/20/2023

When science showed in the 1970s that gas stoves produced harmful indoor air pollution, the industry reached for tobacco's PR playbook

Chron 11/3/2023

Winter Is Coming: Get The House Ready

The Environmental Magazine 10/19/2023

Milwaukee schools lack air conditioning despite rising temperatures. Here’s what we know

WUWM 10/16/2023

Is the COVID pandemic really over? Here’s what the data show.

The Boston Globe 5/10/2023

Some want Massachusetts to ban gas stoves in new home construction like New York

CBS Boston 5/4/2023

COVID is still killing people every day. But its main victims have changed.

The Boston Globe 2/20/2023

Gas stoves culture war. Is there a public health component worth discussing?

Your Local Epidemiologist 1/31/2023

Should We Break Up with Gas Stoves?

The Brink 1/26/2023

Gas stoves can harm your health — and scientists have known that for decades

GRID 1/17/2023

Gas Stove Health Concerns: What to Know and How to Reduce Your Risk

Health 1/16/2023

Should you replace your gas stove with an electric one? Here's what you need to know.

USA Today 1/12/2023

Federal agency considering ban on gas stoves: report

The Hill 1/10/2023

What the Potential Ban on Gas Stoves Means If You Have One

Time Magazine 1/10/2023

Study: 15% of childhood asthma cases in Massachusetts linked to gas stoves

CBS Boston 1/5/2023

Some districts, experts are recommending masking as school resumes to prevent COVID-19 spread

Boston.com 1/3/2023

Investing in indoor air quality improvements in schools will reduce COVID transmission and help students learn

The Conversation 10/7/2022

Sleepwalking into a third COVID winter? Neither Healey nor Diehl have shared a plan for the pandemic.

The Boston Globe 10/5/2022

How your cooker could put you and your kids at risk of deadly diseases

The Sun 9/15/2022

Is your gas stove bad for your health?

The Conversation 9/13/2022

If fall brings COVID surge, when should schools mandate masks, require testing? Coalition wants prevention plan in place

MassLive 8/23/2022

Mass. health leaders call for stepped-up COVID plans for fall and winter

The Boston Globe 8/22/2022

Employers piece together a hodgepodge of COVID-19 safety policies to stay open and healthy

The Boston Globe 6/12/2022

Professor who went viral for wearing a mask on a Zoom call explains his reasoning

NPR 5/24/2022

Health experts urge Gov. Baker, MBTA, & schools to bring back COVID precautions as cases rise

Boston.com 5/18/2022

The CDC put half of Mass. at a ‘high’ community level for COVID. Here’s what that means.

Boston.com 5/6/2022

‘It’s beginning to look like maybe it was just a bump’: COVID ticks down in Boston’s wastewater

Boston.com 4/27/2022

How to get the most out of your mask — in a mask-optional world

WBUR 4/27/2022

COVID-19 ticks up in wastewater — Are we in the midst of a new surge?

Boston.com 4/7/2022

Chinatown in 'high exposure zone' for unregulated air pollutants, study shows

WBUR 4/1/2022

‘The pandemic is not over’: One local expert’s take on current COVID-19 indicators

Boston.com 3/31/2022

‘New Normal': Where We Stand in the Fight Against COVID-19

NBC 10 Boston 3/30/2022

The disproportionate impact of COVID in Massachusetts

WBUR 3/14/2022

Public health experts and doctors urge that schools must stay open throughout Omicron at any cost

Fortune 1/13/2022

Mass. schools cope with COVID disruptions, including 'non-medical' use masks

WBUR 1/5/2022

‘Action now’: BU professor urges officials to act as local COVID wastewater data rises

Boston.com 12/8/2021

Kids Ages 5-9 Outpacing Other Age Groups In COVID Cases In Massachusetts

CBS Boston 11/18/2021

Hey Boston, Shut UUUUUUUP Already!!!!!!!

Boston Magazine 11/9/2021

Air pollution disproportionally affects people of color, lower-income residents in DC

Phys.org 11/8/2021

This Squad of Researchers Is a Real-Life Justice League

BU Today 10/27/2021

Wildfires Trigger Air Quality Alerts in Massachusetts

WBUR 7/27/2021

Staff and Faculty React to BU COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

BU Today 7/19/2021

A BU professor believes Mass. is lifting its COVID-19 restrictions too quickly. Here’s why.

Boston.com 5/20/2021

Report: Air Quality Improving In Mass., Even Before The Pandemic

WBUR 4/21/2021

How to improve public health, the environment and racial equity all at once: Upgrade low-income housing

The Conversation 3/24/2021

In the Northeast, Improved Walking and Bicycling Infrastructure Could Save Hundreds of Lives, Billions of Dollars

The Brink 2/25/2021

Study Finds Regional Pact To Reduce Transportation Pollution Could Yield Major Health Benefits

WBUR 10/6/2020

Five environmental policy questions that should be asked in the presidential debates

The Hill 9/28/2020

Massachusetts communities with dirty air are coronavirus hotspots

The Boston Globe 4/30/2020

BU Public Health Researchers Aid Chelsea, Epicenter of State’s COVID-19 Outbreak

BU Today 4/28/2020

In Boston, COVID-19 and Climate Change Are Hitting the Same Communities the Hardest

BU Today 4/22/2020

Mapping Boston Hot Spots, Block By Block

WBUR 11/25/2019

BU’s URBAN Enables PhD Students To Study People’s Health and the Earth’s

BU Today 9/24/2019

Car Pollution in Boston Area Neighborhoods Poses Health Risk to Residents, New Research Finds

WGBH 9/22/2019

POV: What Trump Got Wrong, and Right, in His Speech about the Environment

BU Today 7/11/2019

The EPA’s Bold New Idea Has Massive Implications for Public Health

Mother Jones 10/3/2018

Choking on growth: More Boston traffic fuels poorer air quality

Boston Herald 10/2/2018

Is Boston getting noisier? This app is designed to help us find out

Boston Globe 5/15/2018

As Scott Pruitt Flies First Class, EPA Barely Gets Off The Ground

The Huffington Post 3/27/2018

Wall Paint, Perfumes and Cleaning Agents Are Polluting Our Air

NPR 2/15/2018

These South Seattle Teens Are Taking On The Nation's Aviation Regulators

OPB 2/6/2018

2016 Boston University School of Public Health: Faculty Career Award in Research and Scholarship
2013 International Society for Environmental Epidemiology : Best Environmental Epidemiology Paper, Honorable Mention
2012 Society for Risk Analysis: Chauncy Starr Distinguished Young Risk Analyst Award
2012 American Journal of Public Health: Paper of the Year Award
2010 Onassis Prize for the Protection of the Environment: Finalist
2008 FAA Centers of Excellence: Faculty of the Year Award
2005 Health Effects Institute: Walter A. Rosenblith New Investigator Award
1999 Howard Raiffa Student Achievement Award: Harvard School of Public Health
1997 Air and Waste Management Association Scholar: First Place
In addition to these self-described keywords below, a list of MeSH based concepts is available here.

Air Pollution
Housing
Environmental Exposures
Environmental justice
Disparities, Health Status
Climate Change
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Boston MA 02118
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