Associate Professor Janni Leung
Associate Professor

Janni Leung

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32526

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

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences Epidemiology Health Sciences Psychology

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

Search Professor Janni Leung’s works on UQ eSpace

305 works between 2010 and 2025
All (305) Journal Article (236) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (62) Other Outputs (6)

281 - 300 of 305 works

2015

Other Outputs

Rural disadvantage in breast cancer health-care service use and outcomes: quantifying the effects of individual risk factors and health service risk factors

Leung, Janni King-Yi (2015). Rural disadvantage in breast cancer health-care service use and outcomes: quantifying the effects of individual risk factors and health service risk factors. PhD Thesis, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2015.971

Rural disadvantage in breast cancer health-care service use and outcomes: quantifying the effects of individual risk factors and health service risk factors

2015

Journal Article

Psychological distress, optimism and general health in breast cancer survivors: a data linkage study using the Scottish Health Survey

Leung, Janni, Atherton, Iain, Kyle, Richard G., Hubbard, Gill and McLaughlin, Deirdre (2015). Psychological distress, optimism and general health in breast cancer survivors: a data linkage study using the Scottish Health Survey. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24 (4), 1755-1761. doi: 10.1007/s00520-015-2968-2

Psychological distress, optimism and general health in breast cancer survivors: a data linkage study using the Scottish Health Survey

2015

Other Outputs

A systems approach to mental health service planning: final report

Whiteford, Harvey, Leung, Janni, Wong, Ides, Meurk, Carla, Harris, Meredith, Diminic, Sandra, Fjeldsoe, Kevin, Lee, Yong Yi and Leitch, Elizabeth (2015). A systems approach to mental health service planning: final report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.

A systems approach to mental health service planning: final report

2015

Journal Article

Screening mammography uptake within Australia and Scotland in rural and urban populations

Leung, Janni, Macleod, Catriona, McLaughlin, Deirdre, Woods, Laura M., Henderson, Robert, Watson, Angus, Kyle, Richard G., Hubbard, Gill, Mullen, Russell and Atherton, Iain (2015). Screening mammography uptake within Australia and Scotland in rural and urban populations. Preventive Medicine Reports, 2, 559-562. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.06.014

Screening mammography uptake within Australia and Scotland in rural and urban populations

2015

Journal Article

33. Positive mental health in women living with breast cancer across geographic locations of residence: A data linkage study using the Scottish Health Survey

Leung, Janni, Hubbard, Gill, Kyle, Richard, McLaughlin, Deirdre, Mullen, Russell and Atherton, Iain (2015). 33. Positive mental health in women living with breast cancer across geographic locations of residence: A data linkage study using the Scottish Health Survey. European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 41 (6). doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2015.03.034

33. Positive mental health in women living with breast cancer across geographic locations of residence: A data linkage study using the Scottish Health Survey

2014

Journal Article

Social support and health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer: a longitudinal study

Leung, Janni, Pachana, Nancy A. and McLaughlin, Deirdre (2014). Social support and health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer: a longitudinal study. Psycho-Oncology, 23 (9), 1014-1020. doi: 10.1002/pon.3523

Social support and health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer: a longitudinal study

2014

Journal Article

Effect of rurality on screening for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing mammography

Leung, J., McKenzie, S., Martin, J. and McLaughlin, D. (2014). Effect of rurality on screening for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing mammography. Rural and Remote Health, 14 (2), 2730.1-2730.13. doi: 10.22605/rrh2730

Effect of rurality on screening for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing mammography

2014

Journal Article

Longitudinal patterns of breast cancer screening: mammography, clinical, and breast self-examinations in a rural and urban setting

Leung, Janni, McKenzie, Samantha, Martin, Jennifer, Dobson, Annette and McLaughlin, Deirdre (2014). Longitudinal patterns of breast cancer screening: mammography, clinical, and breast self-examinations in a rural and urban setting. Women's Health Issues, 24 (1), e139-e146. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2013.11.005

Longitudinal patterns of breast cancer screening: mammography, clinical, and breast self-examinations in a rural and urban setting

2014

Journal Article

Disparities in breast cancer stage at diagnosis in urban and rural adult women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Nguyen-Pham, Sallyanne, Leung, Janni and McLaughlin, Deirdre (2014). Disparities in breast cancer stage at diagnosis in urban and rural adult women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Epidemiology, 24 (3), 228-235. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.12.002

Disparities in breast cancer stage at diagnosis in urban and rural adult women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2013

Journal Article

Smoking and mental health in young women - challenges in interpretation: a reply

Leung, Janni, Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne, Lucke, Jayne and Dobson, Annette (2013). Smoking and mental health in young women - challenges in interpretation: a reply. Psychological Medicine, 43 (2), 445-447. doi: 10.1017/S0033291712002371

Smoking and mental health in young women - challenges in interpretation: a reply

2013

Conference Publication

Differences in breast cancer screening patterns between women residing rural and urban areas

Leung, Janni, McLaughlin, Deirdre, McKenzie, Samantha, Dobson, Annette and Martin, Jennifer (2013). Differences in breast cancer screening patterns between women residing rural and urban areas. 7th Australian Women's Health Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 7-10 May, 2013.

Differences in breast cancer screening patterns between women residing rural and urban areas

2012

Journal Article

Social support and subsequent disability: it is not the size of your network that counts

McLaughlin, Deirdre, Leung, Janni, Pachana, Nancy, Flicker, Leon, Hankey, Graeme and Dobson, Annette (2012). Social support and subsequent disability: it is not the size of your network that counts. Age and Ageing, 41 (5) afs036, 674-677. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afs036

Social support and subsequent disability: it is not the size of your network that counts

2012

Journal Article

Impact of behavioural risk factors on death within 10 years for women and men in their 70s: absolute risk charts

Dobson, Annette, Almeida, Osvaldo, Brown, Wendy J., Byles, Julie, Flicker, Leon, Leung, Janni, Lopez, Derrick, McCaul, Kieran, McLaughlin, Diedre and Hankey, Graeme (2012). Impact of behavioural risk factors on death within 10 years for women and men in their 70s: absolute risk charts. BMC Public Health, 12 (1 Article No.669) 669, 669.1-669.7. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-669

Impact of behavioural risk factors on death within 10 years for women and men in their 70s: absolute risk charts

2012

Journal Article

Physical activity and all-cause mortality in older women and men

Brown, Wendy J., McLaughlin, Deirdre, Leung, Janni, McCaul, Kieran A., Flicker, Leon, Almeida, Osvaldo P., Hankey, Graeme J., Lopez, Derrick and Dobson, Annette J. (2012). Physical activity and all-cause mortality in older women and men. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46 (9), 664-668. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2011-090529

Physical activity and all-cause mortality in older women and men

2012

Journal Article

A longitudinal study of the bi-directional relationship between tobacco smoking and psychological distress in a community sample of young Australian women

Leung, J., Gartner, C., Hall, W., Lucke, J. and Dobson, A. (2012). A longitudinal study of the bi-directional relationship between tobacco smoking and psychological distress in a community sample of young Australian women. Psychological Medicine, 42 (6), 1273-1282. doi: 10.1017/S0033291711002261

A longitudinal study of the bi-directional relationship between tobacco smoking and psychological distress in a community sample of young Australian women

2012

Journal Article

Anxiety and depression in adults in their eighties: Do gender differences remain?

Pachana, Nancy A., McLaughlin, Deirdre, Leung, Janni, Byrne, Gerard and Dobson, Annette (2012). Anxiety and depression in adults in their eighties: Do gender differences remain?. International Psychogeriatrics, 24 (1), 145-150. doi: 10.1017/S1041610211001372

Anxiety and depression in adults in their eighties: Do gender differences remain?

2012

Conference Publication

Gender differences in anxiety and depression in more advanced old age

Pachana, N. A., McLaughlin, D., Leung, J., Byrne, G. and Dobson, A. (2012). Gender differences in anxiety and depression in more advanced old age. 65th Annual Scientific Meeting “Charting New Frontiers in Aging”, San Diego, CA, United States, 14-18 November 2012. Cary, NC., United States: Oxford University Press.

Gender differences in anxiety and depression in more advanced old age

2011

Journal Article

Social support and mortality: If you're sick, friends can't save you

McLaughlin,Deirdre, Leung, Janni, Almeida, Osvaldo P. and Dobson, Annette (2011). Social support and mortality: If you're sick, friends can't save you. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 59 (10), 1984-1986. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03610_16.x

Social support and mortality: If you're sick, friends can't save you

2011

Journal Article

Living with stairs: Functioning in a large cohort of older Australian adults

McLaughlin, Deirdre, Leung, Janni, Byles, Julie and Dobson, Annette (2011). Living with stairs: Functioning in a large cohort of older Australian adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 59 (8), 1560-1562. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03530.x

Living with stairs: Functioning in a large cohort of older Australian adults

2011

Journal Article

The effect of having a partner on activities of daily living in men and women aged 82-87 years

Pachana, Nancy A., McLaughlin, Deirdre, Leung, Janni, McKenzie, Samantha J. and Dobson, Annette (2011). The effect of having a partner on activities of daily living in men and women aged 82-87 years. Maturitas, 68 (3), 286-290. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2010.11.009

The effect of having a partner on activities of daily living in men and women aged 82-87 years

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2028
    Unclouding the future: Igniting change with an AI-powered social media campaign against youth vaping
    NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Developing and evaluating an AI-assisted health promotion campaign on social media to tackle the public health concerns of youth vaping
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    A new scalable eHealth approach to prevent e-cigarette use among adolescents: The OurFutures Vaping program (MRFF Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles Grant administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Reducing the impact and burden of substance use on mental health
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    UQ AWARE - Dr Janni Leung
    UQ Amplify Women's Academic Research Equity
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Establishing an International Consortium on video gaming addiction
    U21 Health Sciences Group International Projects Fund
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Review of alcohol and other drugs program
    Queensland Department of Education
    Open grant
  • 2023
    How can we minimise the adolescent uptake of vaping and related social and health harm?
    Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    How much burden from depression can be alleviated if Australians reduce their alcohol consumption?
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Quantifying the impact and burden of substance use disorders on mental health
    UQ Development Fellowships
    Open grant

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>

    1. Epidemiology of mental and substance use disorders
    2. Harmful alcohol use and alcohol use disorders
    3. Video gaming addiction in youth and across different population groups
    4. Smoking in South-East Asia
    5. Substance use treatment service use
    6. 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

Completed supervision

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:

communications@uq.edu.au