Rate My Professor Jane Zhang

Jane Zhang is a Research Fellow in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. She holds an MSc and is affiliated with the He Kāinga Oranga / Housing and Health Research Programme. Her research focuses on public health epidemiology, particularly infectious diseases, ethnic health inequalities, respiratory conditions, adolescent substance use, and the health impacts of housing. Zhang has made substantial contributions through data analysis and co-authorship on numerous studies examining disease trends and prevention strategies in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Key publications include 'Increasing incidence of serious infectious diseases and inequalities in New Zealand: a national epidemiological study' (The Lancet, 2012), 'Rising ethnic inequalities in acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, New Zealand, 2000–2018' (Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2021), 'Declining Guillain-Barré syndrome after campylobacteriosis control, New Zealand, 1988–2010' (Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2012), 'Preceding group A streptococcus skin and throat infections are individually associated with acute rheumatic fever: evidence from New Zealand' (BMJ Global Health, 2021), 'Staphylococcus aureus infections in New Zealand, 2000–2011' (Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2014), 'The impact of respiratory disease in New Zealand: 2020 update' (Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ, 2021), 'Risk factors for acute rheumatic fever: A case-control study' (The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, 2022), 'Primary prevention of rheumatic fever in the 21st century: evaluation of a national programme' (International Journal of Epidemiology, 2018), 'Temporal trends in sepsis hospitalisations and mortality in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2000-2019: A population-based study' (Lancet Regional Health: Western Pacific, 2025), and 'Post-Covid-19 symptoms in children: A cross-sectional survey' (Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 2025). Additional works cover early-onset cannabis vaping and smoking trends (Drug and Alcohol Review, 2023), drug harm prevention needs among adolescents (New Zealand Medical Journal, 2025), pandemic mitigations and acute rheumatic fever (Emerging Microbes & Infections, 2025), and increasing sepsis burden (The Briefing, 2026). Her research informs public health policy on disease surveillance, inequities, and interventions.