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Louise signal photoPhD, Dip Com PsychDirector of HePPRU

Teaches PUBH713 Society, Health & Health Promotion, PUBH744 Healthy Public Policy

Contact details

Tel +64 4 385 5541ext 6477
Email louise.signal@otago.ac.nz

Research interests and activities

Professor Louise Signal is a Director of the Health Promotion and Policy Research Unit at the University of Otago, Wellington as well as Co-Director of Te Rōpū Rangahau ō Te Kāhui Matepukupuku: Cancer Society Research Collaboration. Louise is a social scientist with a PhD in Community Health from the University of Toronto. She has been a member of the Department of Public Health for over 20 years and has previous experience working at central and local government in health promotion and community development.

Professor Signal's research focuses on identifying and addressing environmental determinants of health. Her research has a strong focus on equity for Māori, Pacific, and low-income communities. Key research areas include the politics of health and health equity, obesity prevention, and addressing harm from alcohol and sun exposure. Her research utilises qualitative research methods, policy research and mixed method research design. Professor Signal was principal investigator on an innovative research project that studied the world children live in – Kids' Cam, which used automated cameras to record children's worlds.

Publications

Puloka, V., Puloka, A., Lambert, M., & Signal, L. (2024). Polokalama Fekumi ki he Kanisā 'o e Halanga-me'atokoní—Ko e vakai 'a e Tongá: Tongan New Zealanders' views on how to ensure the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme works well for the Tongan community. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 137(1604), 53-61. Retrieved from https://nzmj.org.nz/ Journal - Research Article

Bergen, T., Richards, J., Kira, G., Kim, A. H. M., Signal, L., & Mizdrak, A. (2024). The effectiveness of secondary-school based interventions on the future physical activity of adolescents in Aotearoa New Zealand: A modelling study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity, 21, 114. doi: 10.1186/s12966-024-01653-z Journal - Research Article

Gage, R., Liu, W., Pearson, A. L., Smith, M., Shortridge, A., & Signal, L. (2024). Comparison of ten policy options to equitably reduce children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing. Public Health Nutrition, 27, e130, 1-9. doi: 10.1017/s1368980024000958 Journal - Research Article

Teng, A., Cleghorn, C., Signal, L., Smith, M., Te Morenga, L., Walby, E., & Wilson, N. (2024). Food and beverage taxes for a healthier diet: The Pacific experience. The Briefing, (31 January). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/food-and-beverage-taxes-healthier-diet-pacific-experience Journal - Research Other

Peniamina, R., McNoe, B., Kerr, J., Cleghorn, C., & Signal, L. (2024). Strong public support for healthy food policies in Aotearoa. The Briefing, (15 January). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/strong-public-support-healthy-food-policies-aotearoa Journal - Research Other

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