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Emeritus Professor Jennie Connor is a public health physician and epidemiologist in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago. She held the Chair in Preventive and Social Medicine from 2010 until her retirement in 2020, maintaining a connection with the university spanning more than 44 years. Over two decades, she taught epidemiology and led public health research primarily focused on injury prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and the health impacts of alcohol. Her academic qualifications include BSc, MB ChB, DipObst, MPH, PhD, FAFPHM, and FNZCPHM. As an alumna of the University of Otago, she advanced knowledge in preventive medicine through her epidemiological expertise.
Professor Connor's research contributions include two comprehensive assessments of the alcohol-attributable burden of disease and injury in New Zealand, conducted with international collaborators, which incorporated estimates of alcohol-attributable cancer. Recent collaborations encompass evaluations of New Zealand's alcohol legislation, quantification of alcohol's harm to others, examination of driving cessation impacts on older drivers and their families, epidemiology of chlamydia in New Zealand, and analysis of sexual and reproductive health within the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. Key publications feature 'Alcohol consumption as a cause of cancer' (Addiction, 2017), 'Driver sleepiness and risk of serious injury to car occupants: population based case control study' (BMJ, 2002), 'The role of driver sleepiness in car crashes: a systematic review of epidemiological studies' (Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2001), 'The link between fatigue and safety' (Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2011), and 'Alcohol outlet density, levels of drinking and alcohol-related harm in New Zealand: a national study' (Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2011). In recognition of her advocacy for evidence-based alcohol policy to improve health, wellbeing, and reduce preventable alcohol harm, she was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2023 New Year Honours. She serves as a medical spokesperson for Alcohol Action New Zealand, an incorporated society promoting evidence-based policies to mitigate alcohol harm.
Explore the PHCC briefing backed by University of Otago researchers advocating repeal of NZ's 50-year-old Misuse of Drugs Act for health-focused reforms amid rising harms.
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