
Overview
Background
A/Prof Janni Leung (PhD) is an NHMRC Development Fellow at National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research (NCYSUR) at The University of Queensland. Their program of research includes investigating the epidemiology of substance use and mental health because they are both major public health issues that commonly occur together. This research program had made paradigm-changing development through 100+ articles, which have recognised impact (15,000+ cites, 30% output in the top 1% citation percentile). Many of their work involves conducting systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and applying statistical models to epidemiological data on addiction and mental health issues to better understand their impacts on populations. Her work is used to inform policies on how to reduce the disease burden caused by addiction and mental health problems in Australia and overseas. Janni is committed to conducting high-quality rigorous research to generate empirical epidemiological evidence to inform decisions to prevent addiction-related harms in the population.
Teaching and supervision: They have qualifications and training in public health, sociology, and psychology. In addition, they have strong research and teaching experience in epidemiology and biostatistics. Janni has worked with a range of students from diverse demographic and cultural backgrounds, including mature-aged students and students with family responsibilities. She currently has a topic available for a self-motivated student interested in addiction research. Janni’s current research focus is on the epidemiology and disease burden associated with mental and substance use disorders across the globe.
Consultation: Janni is available for private consultation and workshop presentations on request for various research methodological and statistical topics, e.g. systematic reviews and meta-analysis, questionnaire and survey designs, cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.
Where can you find Janni: Janni is based at the UQ St Lucia campus with regular visits to the Long Pocket and Herston campuses. You may also catch Janni at the APSAD conference.
Availability
- Associate Professor Janni Leung is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
-
Substance use, substance abuse, and substance dependence
-
Mental health and mental disorders
-
Epidemiology, public health
-
Burden of disease
-
Higher education
Works
Search Professor Janni Leung’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Content analysis of the portrayal of prescription stimulants on TikTok
Johnson, Benjamin, Sun, Tianze, Wu, Leo, Seal, Stella, Stjepanovic, Daniel, Chan, Gary and Leung, Janni (2025). Content analysis of the portrayal of prescription stimulants on TikTok. Journal of Attention Disorders. doi: 10.1177/10870547251318834
2025
Journal Article
The Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorders in People who Use Medicinal cannabis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Dawson, Danielle, Stjepanovic, Daniel, Lorenzetti, Valentina, Cheung, Christy, Hall, Wayne and Leung, Janni (2025). The Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorders in People who Use Medicinal cannabis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 267 111464, 111464. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111464
2024
Journal Article
The relationship between cannabis and nicotine use: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Yimer, Tesfa Mekonen, McClure‐Thomas, Caitlin, Stjepanovic, Daniel, Wilson, Jack, Chan, Gary Chung Kai, Hall, Wayne Denis and Leung, Janni (2024). The relationship between cannabis and nicotine use: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Addiction, 119 (12), 2076-2087. doi: 10.1111/add.16642
2024
Journal Article
Adolescent alcohol drinking and cannabis use: Longitudinal, and cohort analysis of high school students in Australia
Davidson, Lily, Leung, Janni, Quinn, Catherine, Ellem, Rhiannon, Tisdale, Calvert, Choi, Jisu, Carlyle, Molly, White, Melanie, Kavanagh, David J. and Hides, Leanne (2024). Adolescent alcohol drinking and cannabis use: Longitudinal, and cohort analysis of high school students in Australia. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 12 (2), 2. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.499
2024
Journal Article
Randomized effectiveness‐implementation trial of dialectical behavior therapy interventions for young people with borderline personality disorder symptoms
de Andrade, Dominique, Davidson, Lily, Robertson, Carlie, Williams, Philip, Leung, Janni, Walter, Zoe, Allan, Julaine and Hides, Leanne (2024). Randomized effectiveness‐implementation trial of dialectical behavior therapy interventions for young people with borderline personality disorder symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 80 (10), 2117-2133. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23725
2024
Journal Article
Alcohol use and alcohol use disorders in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Belete, Habte, Yimer, Tesfa Mekonen, Dawson, Danielle, Espinosa, Dorothy C., Ambaw, Fentie, Connor, Jason P., Chan, Gary, Hides, Leanne and Leung, Janni (2024). Alcohol use and alcohol use disorders in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction, 119 (9), 1527-1540. doi: 10.1111/add.16514
2024
Journal Article
Through the looking glass: an alcohol advertisement every 3 minutes
Rutherford, Brienna N., Leung, Janni, Stjepanović, Daniel and Chan, Gary C. K. (2024). Through the looking glass: an alcohol advertisement every 3 minutes. Drug and Alcohol Review, 43 (6), 1426-1434. doi: 10.1111/dar.13886
2024
Journal Article
The risk of repeated suicidal presentations following residential treatment for substance use disorders: A recurrent event analysis using linked administrative data
Tisdale, Calvert, de Andrade, Dominique, Leung, Janni, Campbell, Gabrielle and Hides, Leanne (2024). The risk of repeated suicidal presentations following residential treatment for substance use disorders: A recurrent event analysis using linked administrative data. Journal of Affective Disorders, 360, 364-375. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.129
2024
Journal Article
Effect of tobacco and e-cigarette-related social media content on youth
Ashley, Daniel P., Rutherford, Brienna N., Lim, Carmen C.W., Cheng, Brandon, Sun, Tianze, Vu, Gigi, Johnson, Benjamin, Chung, Jack, Huang, Sandy, Leung, Janni, Stjepanović, Daniel, Connor, Jason P. and Chan, Gary C.K. (2024). Effect of tobacco and e-cigarette-related social media content on youth. Journal of the National Medical Association, 116 (4), 420-420. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2024.07.023
2024
Journal Article
The Gaming Disorder Identification Test (GADIT) – a screening tool for Gaming Disorder based on ICD-11
Chan, Gary C. K., Saunders, John B., Stjepanović, Daniel, McClure-Thomas, Caitlin, Connor, Jason, Hides, Leanne, Wood, Andrew, King, Daniel, Siste, Kristiana, Long, Jiang and Leung, Janni K. (2024). The Gaming Disorder Identification Test (GADIT) – a screening tool for Gaming Disorder based on ICD-11. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 13 (3), 729-741. doi: 10.1556/2006.2024.00038
2024
Journal Article
Preventable deaths attributable to second-hand smoke in Southeast Asia—analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Leung, Janni, Lim, Carmen, Sun, Tianze, Vu, Giang, McClure-Thomas, Caitlin, Bao, Yangping, Tran, Lucy, Santo, Thomas, Fausiah, Fitri, Farassania, Ghea, Chan, Gary Chung Kai and Sebayang, Susy K. (2024). Preventable deaths attributable to second-hand smoke in Southeast Asia—analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. International Journal of Public Health, 69 1606446. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606446
2024
Journal Article
Patterns of drug use among people who inject drugs: a global systematic review and meta-analysis
Webb, Paige, Ireland, Jeremy, Colledge-Frisby, Samantha, Peacock, Amy, Leung, Janni, Vickerman, Peter, Farrell, Michael, Hickman, Matthew, Grebely, Jason and Degenhardt, Louisa (2024). Patterns of drug use among people who inject drugs: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Drug Policy, 128 104455. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104455
2024
Journal Article
Designing observational studies for credible causal inference in addiction research—Directed acyclic graphs, modified disjunctive cause criterion and target trial emulation
Chan, Gary C. K., Sun, Tianze, Stjepanović, Daniel, Vu, Giang, Hall, Wayne D., Connor, Jason P. and Leung, Janni (2024). Designing observational studies for credible causal inference in addiction research—Directed acyclic graphs, modified disjunctive cause criterion and target trial emulation. Addiction, 119 (6), 1125-1134. doi: 10.1111/add.16442
2024
Journal Article
The underbelly of E-cigarette advertising: regulating online markets on social media platforms
Lim, Carmen C. W., Sun, Tianze, Vu, Giang, Chan, Gary C. K. and Leung, Janni (2024). The underbelly of E-cigarette advertising: regulating online markets on social media platforms. Harm Reduction Journal, 21 (1) 105. doi: 10.1186/s12954-024-01027-5
2024
Journal Article
Global incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 371 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Ferrari, Alize J., Santomauro, Damian Francesco, Aali, Amirali, Abate, Yohannes Habtegiorgis, Abbafati, Cristiana, Abbastabar, Hedayat, Abd ElHafeez, Samar, Abdelmasseh, Michael, Abd-Elsalam, Sherief, Abdollahi, Arash, Abdullahi, Auwal, Abegaz, Kedir Hussein, Abeldaño Zuñiga, Roberto Ariel, Aboagye, Richard Gyan, Abolhassani, Hassan, Abreu, Lucas Guimarães, Abualruz, Hasan, Abu-Gharbieh, Eman, Abu-Rmeileh, Niveen ME, Ackerman, Ilana N, Addo, Isaac Yeboah, Addolorato, Giovanni, Adebiyi, Akindele Olupelumi, Adepoju, Abiola Victor, Adewuyi, Habeeb Omoponle, Afyouni, Shadi, Afzal, Saira, Afzal, Sina, Agodi, Antonella ... Murray, Christopher J L (2024). Global incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 371 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet, 403 (10440), 2133-2161. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(24)00757-8
2024
Journal Article
The nature and characteristics of problem gaming, with a focus on ICD-11 diagnoses
Saunders, John B., Chan, Gary, Leung, Janni, Stjepanović, Daniel and Connor, Jason P. (2024). The nature and characteristics of problem gaming, with a focus on ICD-11 diagnoses. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 37 (4), 292-300. doi: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000949
2024
Journal Article
Regional and country prevalence estimates of unsafe sex among adolescents in 68 low-income and middle-income countries
Leung, Janni, Lim, Carmen, Belete, Habte, Mcclure-Thomas, Caitlin, Foo, Shaun and Chan, Gary Chung Kai (2024). Regional and country prevalence estimates of unsafe sex among adolescents in 68 low-income and middle-income countries. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 53 (6), 2337-2346. doi: 10.1007/s10508-024-02861-1
2024
Journal Article
The psychosocial health of Black/African Americans compared with people of other races/ethnic origins during the COVID-19 pandemic
Price, Daicia, Bonsaksen, Tore, Leung, Janni, Ruffolo, Mary, Lamph, Gary, Hawkins, Karis and Østertun Geirdal, Amy (2024). The psychosocial health of Black/African Americans compared with people of other races/ethnic origins during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID, 4 (4), 506-517. doi: 10.3390/covid4040034
2024
Journal Article
The prevalence of cannabis use disorders in people who use medicinal cannabis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Dawson, Danielle, Stjepanović, Daniel, Lorenzetti, Valentina, Cheung, Christy, Hall, Wayne and Leung, Janni (2024). The prevalence of cannabis use disorders in people who use medicinal cannabis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 257 111263, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111263
2024
Journal Article
Patterns of social media use across age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study across four countries
Bonsaksen, Tore, Thygesen, Hilde, Leung, Janni, Lamph, Gary, Kabelenga, Isaac and Østertun Geirdal, Amy (2024). Patterns of social media use across age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study across four countries. Social Sciences, 13 (4) 194, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/socsci13040194
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Janni Leung is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Available Dissertation and Thesis Topics (No International Scholarships Available)
How to apply – Send your CV, academic transcript, and cover letter to <j.leung1@uq.edu.au>
- Epidemiology of mental and substance use disorders
- Harmful alcohol use and alcohol use disorders
- Video gaming addiction in youth and across different population groups
- Smoking in South-East Asia
- Substance use treatment service use
- Cost-effectiveness of addiction interventions
*Propose your own topics. Research projects would be suitable to those:
- Highly motivated, proactive, and self-directed
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Has completed or is enrolled to complete the UQ library workshop on systematic reviews and database searching
- Able to travel to St Lucia, The University of Queensland
-
Areas of RHD supervision
- Psychiatry epidemiology
- Alcohol use disorders
- Alcohol drinking behavior
- Tobacco smoking
- Gaming addiction
- Video game play behaviours
- Injecting drug use
- Person who inject drugs
- Substance use
- Substance dependence
- Substance abuse
- Drug use disorders
- Amphetamine / methamphetamine
- Cocaine / Heroin
- Marijuana / Cannabis
- Psycho-stimulants
- Mental health and mental disorders
- Depression & anxiety
- Public attitudes
- Burden of disease
- Treatment rates and treatment gaps
- Risk factors and outcomes of substance use
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Adolescent exposure to online cannabis advertisements
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan, Dr Tesfa Yimer
-
Doctor Philosophy
Medicinal Cannabis Use in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing self-confidence in school-aged adolescents for prevention impulsive behaviors (substance addiction, risky sexual behavior, gambling and internet addiction) and mental illnesses
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan, Professor Leanne Hides, Dr Carmen Lim
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Public Health Impacts of Vaping Product Use
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Professor Coral Gartner, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Social media and substance use among young people
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Impacts of Cannabis Use and Cannabis Vaping - Insight into Australian Cannabis Policies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Impacts of Cannabis Use and Cannabis Vaping - Insight into Australian Cannabis Policies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Learning from the opioid crisis - Preventing the proliferation of prescription stimulant for non-medical use
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Dr Natalie Thomas, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Utilisation of data linkage to determine the long-term health and substance use outcomes of residential substance use treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Leanne Hides, Dr Dominique De Andrade
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Mental health services in low resource settings: Treatment gap, service utilization, and barriers to mental health service use
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan, Professor Leanne Hides
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Cannabis Legalisation: An Empirical Analysis Causes of Attitudinal Change in the U.S. and Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan, Professor Leanne Hides
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Social Substances: The Online Landscape of Substance Use
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Public Health Impacts of Vaping Product Use
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Professor Coral Gartner, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Emerging trends of cannabis vaping in the USA and Canada: Prevalence, correlates, and online presence
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Professor Coral Gartner, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Janni Leung directly for media enquiries about:
- Disease burden
- Mental health
- Substance abuse
- Substance dependence
- Substance use
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: