Mary C. White, ScD, MFA
Mary C. White, ScD, MFA, has led the development, implementation, and translation of population-based health research at CDC for nearly three decades. In her current position as Chief of the Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch in CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Dr. White directs a program of applied research and science dissemination to support CDC programs and partners and address national priorities in cancer prevention and control. She oversees a portfolio of intramural and extramurally funded research projects involving epidemiology, disease and risk factor surveillance, behavioral science, economics, and health services research. Her multi-disciplinary team contributes data and scientific expertise on cancer prevention and risk behaviors, the quality and appropriate use of cancer screening, the cost and cost-effectiveness of cancer control programs, health and wellness after a cancer diagnosis (cancer survivorship), and efforts to address cancer health disparities.
Dr. White has published and lectured widely on topics related to the control of asthma, cancer, and other chronic diseases, the risks associated with exposure to air pollution and hazardous substances, and the interpretation of scientific evidence for public health. She has authored more than 100 published papers (h-index = 33) and served as a guest editor for five special journal supplements that focus on opportunities for cancer prevention at different stages of the life course. While at CDC, Dr. White has received numerous awards for both scientific achievement and leadership in management, including the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service and the HHS Award for Excellence in Management.
Dr. White is a fellow of the American College of Epidemiology, a Public Health Leadership Institute Scholar, and an adjunct professor in the Department of Environmental Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. She has a Doctor of Science (ScD) in epidemiology and occupational health from the Harvard School of Public Health and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in narrative media writing from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.
Selected recent publications Dr. White has authored or co-authored include—
- 2019 Cancer risk among older adults: time for cancer prevention to go silver.external icon
- 2018 Multilevel regression for small-area estimation of mammography use in the United States, 2014.external icon
- 2018 Incidence of primary liver cancer in American Indians and Alaska Natives, U.S., 1999–2009.external icon
- 2018 Factors associated with breast MRI use among women with a family history of breast cancer.external icon
- 2018 Differences in breast cancer incidence among young women aged 20–49 years by stage and tumor characteristics, age, race, and ethnicity, 2004–2013.external icon
- 2018 Mammography use among women aged 18–39 years in the United States.external icon
- 2017 The history and use of cancer registry data by public health cancer control programs in the United States.external icon
- 2017 Cervical cancer screening and incidence by age: unmet needs near and after the stopping age for screening.external icon
- 2017 Prevalence of modifiable cancer risk factors among U.S. adults aged 18—44 years.external icon
- 2017 Cancer screening test use—United States, 2015.
- 2016 Labeling cancer risk factors as lifestyle limits prevention activities across the life span.external icon
- 2015 Public health’s future role in cancer survivorship.external icon
- 2015 Meeting the Healthy People 2020 objectives to reduce cancer mortality.
- 2015 Preventing premature deaths from breast and cervical cancer among underserved women in the United States: insights gained from a national cancer screening program.external icon
- 2014 Disparities in cancer mortality and incidence among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States.external icon
- 2014 Age and cancer risk: a potentially modifiable relationship.external icon
- 2013 Cancer prevention for the next generation.external icon
A full list of publications is available at Google Scholar.external icon
Dr. White offers her perspective in the blog post, Tackling Breast Cancer Through Prevention, Not Just Treatment.