Associate Professor Janni Leung, Research Fellow at The University of Queensland, is tackling one of the world’s most urgent health challenges: the lifelong harms caused by substance use and addiction. Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis are among the leading causes of preventable death globally, with young people particularly at risk of developing lifelong patterns of use.
Her research combines cutting-edge epidemiology with innovative public health interventions to better understand who is most at risk, how substance use trends are evolving, and how early interventions can prevent harm. As part of the Global Burden of Disease study, she synthesises data from over 100,000 sources across 200+ countries to map global trends and health inequalities.
She also pioneers new approaches to prevention, including co-designed AI-generated campaigns with youth groups, which have reached thousands of Queensland students and outperformed traditional health messaging. Her work has been cited in nearly 200 policy documents by organisations including the World Health Organization and the United Nations, and has directly shaped Australian policy and education initiatives.
By combining robust evidence with youth engagement and innovation, Associate Professor Leung is working to reduce health inequalities, prevent addiction, and build healthier futures for young people worldwide.