Contact Details
University Links
- Position
- Emeritus Professor
- Department
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine
- Qualifications
- KNZM OBE BMedSc MB ChB HonLLD(Otago) DPhil(Oxford) HonDSc(Queen’s, Canada) FFPHM FAFPHM FRSNZ
- Research summary
- Epidemiology and public health
- Memberships
- Chair, Strategic COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Group, 2021–present
- Working group on future scenarios for the COVID-19 pandemic, International Science Council, Paris, 2020–present
Research
- Cancer epidemiology
- Contraceptive and drug safety
- Reproductive health
- Pandemic control strategies
Additional details
- Vice-Chancellor, University of Otago, 2004–2011
- President, Royal Society of New Zealand, 2012–2015
- Chair, Scientific and Technical Advisory Group, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2011–2016
- Special adviser, COVID-19 Epidemic Response Committee, New Zealand Parliament, 2020
Publications
Skegg, D. C. G., Brewerton, M., Hill, P. C., Iosua, E., Murdoch, D. R., & Turner, N. (2022). Vaccine mandates in the time of Omicron. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1552), 11-15. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/ Journal - Research Other
Skegg, D. C. G., & Hill, P. C. (2021). Defining covid-19 elimination: Elimination is achievable and should not be confused with eradication. BMJ, 374, n1794. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n1794 Journal - Research Other
Skegg, D., Gluckman, P., Boulton, G., Hackmann, H., Abdool Karim, S. S., Piot, P., & Woopen, C. (2021). Future scenarios for the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet, 397, 777-778. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00424-4 Journal - Research Other
Skegg, D. (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons for our future. Policy Quarterly, 17(1), 3-10. Journal - Research Article
Skegg, D., & Pearce, N. (2020). Unwarranted optimism about vaccine efficacy. BMJ, 371, m4918. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m4918 Journal - Research Other
2022
Journal - Research Other
Skegg, D. C. G., Brewerton, M., Hill, P. C., Iosua, E., Murdoch, D. R., & Turner, N. (2022). Vaccine mandates in the time of Omicron. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1552), 11-15. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/
2021
Journal - Research Article
Skegg, D. (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons for our future. Policy Quarterly, 17(1), 3-10.
Journal - Research Other
Skegg, D. C. G., & Hill, P. C. (2021). Defining covid-19 elimination: Elimination is achievable and should not be confused with eradication. BMJ, 374, n1794. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n1794
Skegg, D., Gluckman, P., Boulton, G., Hackmann, H., Abdool Karim, S. S., Piot, P., & Woopen, C. (2021). Future scenarios for the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet, 397, 777-778. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00424-4
2020
Journal - Research Other
Skegg, D., & Pearce, N. (2020). Unwarranted optimism about vaccine efficacy. BMJ, 371, m4918. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m4918
Skegg, D. C. G. (2020). The 1960s cervical screening incident at National Women's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 127, 235-236. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.09.007
2019
Authored Book - Research
Skegg, D. (2019). The health of the people. Wellington, New Zealand: Bridget Williams Books, 144p. doi: 10.7810/9781988545585
Journal - Research Article
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, including McCredie, M., Paul, C., Skegg, D. C. G., & Spears, G. F. S. (2019). Type and timing of menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer risk: Individual participant meta-analysis of the worldwide epidemiological evidence. Lancet, 394(10204), 1159-1168. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31709-X
2018
Journal - Research Article
Paul, C., Sharples, K. J., Baranyai, J., Jones, R. W., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2018). Outcomes for women without conventional treatment for stage 1A (microinvasive) carcinoma of the cervix. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 58(3), 321-329. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12753
2015
Edited Book - Research
Gluckman, P., & Skegg, D. (Eds.). (2015). Asbestos exposure in New Zealand: Review of the scientific evidence of non-occupational risks. Royal Society of New Zealand and the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, 43p. Retrieved from http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/expert-advice/papers/yr2015/risks-from-asbestos-exposure-in-the-non-occupational-environment/
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Skegg, D., Sharples, K., Barson, D., Edwards, R., & Tatley, M. (2015, November). What do the next 5(0) years hold? Panel discussion at the Inaugural Pharmacoepidemiology Research Network Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Skegg, D. (2015, November). From thalidomide to rofecoxib: The genesis of pharmacoepidemiology. Verbal presentation at the Inaugural Pharmacoepidemiology Research Network Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2014
Edited Book - Research
Gluckman, P., & Skegg, D. (Eds.). (2014). Health effects of water fluoridation: A review of the scientific evidence. Royal Society of New Zealand and the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, 74p. Retrieved from http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/expert-advice/papers/yr2014/health-effects-of-water-fluoridation/
Journal - Research Other
Skegg, D. C. G. (2014). Charting progress in the battle against cancer. New Zealand Medical Journal, 127(1400). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
2012
Journal - Research Article
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, including McCredie, M., Paul, C., Skegg, D. C. G., & Spears, G. F. S. (2012). Menarche, menopause, and breast cancer risk: Individual participant meta-analysis, including 118 964 women with breast cancer from 117 epidemiological studies. Lancet Oncology, 13(11), 1141-1151. doi: 10.1016/s1470-2045(12)70425-4
2011
Journal - Research Article
Harrison-Woolrych, M., Skegg, K., Ashton, J., Herbison, P., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2011). Nocturnal enuresis in patients taking clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine and quetiapine: Comparative cohort study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 199(2), 140-144. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.087478
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Harrison-Woolrych, M., Skegg, K., Ashton, J., Herbison, P., & Skegg, D. (2011). Nocturnal enuresis in adults taking clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine and quetiapine: A comparative cohort study. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45(Suppl. 1), (pp. A53). doi: 10.3109/00048674.2011.582715
2010
Journal - Research Article
McCredie, M. R. E., Paul, C., Sharples, K. J., Baranyai, J., Medley, G., Skegg, D. C. G., & Jones, R. W. (2010). Consequences in women of participating in a study of the natural history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 50(4), 363-370. doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2010.01170.x
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Harrison-Woolrych, M., Skegg, K., Ashton, J., Herbison, P., & Skegg, D. (2010). Nocturnal enuresis (bed-wetting) in patients taking clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine and quetiapine: A comparative cohort study. Drug Safety. 33(10), (pp. 900-901). [Abstract]
2009
Chapter in Book - Research
Skegg, D. C. G. (2009). Foreword: The Cartwright Inquiry and its legacy. In J. Manning (Ed.), The Cartwright papers: Essays on the cervical cancer inquiry 1987-88. (pp. 7-12). Wellington, New Zealand: Bridget Williams Books.
Journal - Research Article
International Collaboration of Epidemiological Studies of Cervical Cancer, including Skegg, D. (2009). Cervical carcinoma and sexual behavior: Collaborative reanalysis of individual data on 15,461 women with cervical carcinoma and 29,164 women without cervical carcinoma from 21 epidemiological studies. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 18(4), 1060-1069. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-08-1186
Dickson, N. P., Ryding, J., van Roode, T., Paul, C., Herbison, P., Dillner, J., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2009). Male circumcision and serologically determined human papillomavirus infection in a birth cohort. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 18(1), 177-183. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-08-0353
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Skegg, D. (2009, August-September). Non-random reflections on cervical cancer [Ian Prior Oration]. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Epidemiological Association Annual Scientific Meeting, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2008
Journal - Research Article
McCredie, M. R. E., Sharples, K. J., Paul, C., Baranyai, J., Medley, G., Jones, R. W., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2008). Natural history of cervical neoplasia and risk of invasive cancer in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3: A retrospective cohort study. Lancet Oncology, 9(5), 425-434. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(08)70103-7
2007
Journal - Research Article
International Collaboration of Epidemiological Studies of Cervical Cancer, including Skegg, D. (2007). Cervical cancer and hormonal contraceptives: Collaborative reanalysis of individual data for 16573 women with cervical cancer and 35509 women without cervical cancer from 24 epidemiological studies. Lancet, 370, 1609-1621. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61684-5
Dockerty, J. D., Herbison, P., Skegg, D. C. G., & Elwood, M. (2007). Vitamin and mineral supplements in pregnancy and the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A case-control study. BMC Public Health, 7, 136. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-7-136
Skegg, K., Nada-Raja, S., Paul, C., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2007). Body piercing, personality, and sexual behavior. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, 47-54.
2006
Journal - Research Article
International Collaboration of Epidemiological Studies of Cervical Cancer, including Skegg, D. (2006). Comparison of risk factors for invasive squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix: Collaborative reanalysis of individual data on 8,097 women with squamous cell carcinoma and 1,374 women with adenocarcinoma from 12 epidemiological studies. International Journal of Cancer, 120(4), 885-891. doi: 10.1002/ijc.22357
International Collaboration of Epidemiological Studies of Cervical Cancer, including Skegg, D. (2006). Cervical carcinoma and reproductive factors: Collaborative reanalysis of individual data on 16,563 women with cervical carcinoma and 33,542 women without cervical carcinoma from 25 epidemiological studies. International Journal of Cancer, 119(5), 1108-1124. doi: 10.1002/ijc.21953
International Collaboration of Epidemiological Studies of Cervical Cancer, including Skegg, D. (2006). Carcinoma of the cervix and tobacco smoking: Collaborative reanalysis of individual data on 13,541 women with carcinoma of the cervix and 23,017 women without carcinoma of the cervix from 23 epidemiological studies. International Journal of Cancer, 118, 1481-1495. doi: 10.1002/ijc.21493
McCredie, M. R. E., Medley, G., Sharples, K. J., Jones, R. W., Baranyai, J., Paul, C., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2006). Review of cytologic slides from the National Women's Hospital, New Zealand, cohort of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 diagnosed in 1955-1976. Acta Cytologica, 50(6), 632-636.
Cox, B., Sneyd, M. J., Paul, C., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2006). Risk factors for prostate cancer: A national case-control study. International Journal of Cancer, 119, 1690-1694.
Parkin, L., Bell, M. L., Herbison, G. P., Paul, C., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2006). Air travel and fatal pulmonary embolism. Thrombosis & Haemostasis, 95, 807-814.
2004
Journal - Research Article
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, including Skegg, D. C. G., Paul, C., & McCredie, M. R. E. (2004). Breast cancer and abortion: Collaborative reanalysis of data from 53 epidemiological studies, including 83000 women with breast cancer from 16 countries. Lancet, 363, 1007-1016.
2003
Journal - Research Article
Sneyd, M. J., Cox, B., Paul, C. E., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2003). PSA testing and digital rectal examination in New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 27(5), 502-506.
Dockerty, J. D., Skegg, D. C. G., & Williams, S. M. (2003). Economic effects of childhood cancer on families. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 39, 254-258.
Parkin, L. R., Skegg, D. C. G., Herbison, G. P., & Paul, C. E. (2003). Psychotropic drugs and fatal pulmonary embolism. Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety, 12, 647-652.
Journal - Research Other
Skegg, D. C. G. (2003). Autism and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination: A challenge for pharmacoepidemiology. Pharmacotherapy, 23(12), 1521-1523.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Parkin, L., Skegg, D. C. G., Herbison, G. P., & Paul, C. (2003). Psychotropic drugs and fatal pulmonary embolism. Australasian Epidemiologist. 10(3), (pp. 26). [Abstract]
Dockerty, J. D., Herbison, G. P., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2003). Folic acid and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Results from a case-control study. Australasian Epidemiologist. 10(3), (pp. 40). [Abstract]
2002
Journal - Research Article
Cox, B., Sneyd, M. J., Paul, C. E., Delahunt, B., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2002). Vasectomy and risk of prostate cancer. JAMA, 287, 3110-3115.
Skegg, D. C. G. (2002). Oral contraceptives, parity, and cervical cancer. Lancet, 359, 1080-1081.
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, including Skegg, D. C. G., & McCredie, M. R. E. (2002). Alcohol, tobacco and breast cancer - Collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 53 epidemiological studies, including 58515 women with breast cancer and 95067 women without the disease. British Journal of Cancer, 87(11), 1234-1245. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6600596
Skegg, D. C. G., & McCredie, M. R. E. (2002). Comparison of cancer mortality and incidence in New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand Medical Journal, 115(1150), 205-208.
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, including Skegg, D. C. G., & McCredie, M. R. E. (2002). Breastfeeding and breast cancer: Collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries, including 50302 women with breast cancer and 96973 women without the disease. Lancet, 360(9328), 187-195.
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Skegg, D. C. G. (2002). Hormone therapy and heart disease. Lancet, 359, 795-796.
Skegg, D. C. G. (2002). Oral contraceptives, venous thromboembolism and the courts. British Medical Journal, 325, 504-505. 2002.
2001
Journal - Research Article
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, including Skegg, D. C. G., & McCredie, M. R. E. (2001). Familial breast cancer: Collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 52 epidemiological studies including 58, 209 women with breast cancer and 101, 986 women without the disease. Lancet, 358, 1389-1399.
Sneyd, M. J., Cox, B., Paul, C. E., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2001). High prevalence of vasectomy in New Zealand. Contraception, 64, 155-159.
Skegg, D. C. G. (2001). Evaluating the safety of medicines, with particular reference to contraception. Statistics in Medicine, 20(23), 3557-3569. doi: 10.1002/sim.1077
Skegg, D. C. G. (2001). Hormone therapy and heart disease after the menopause. Lancet, 358, 1196-1197.
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Skegg, D. C. G. (2001). Breast screening - Time for review. New Zealand Medical Journal, 114, 299.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Parkin, L., Skegg, D. C. G., Wilson, M., Herbison, G. P., & Paul, C. (2001). Oral contraceptives and fatal pulmonary embolism. Proceedings of the Annual Scientific Meeting: Diseases of Modern Living. Royal Australasian College of Physicians. [Abstract]
2000
Journal - Research Article
Skegg, D. C. G. (2000). Pitfalls of pharmacoepidemiology. British Medical Journal, 321, 1171-1172.
Parkin, L., Skegg, D. C. G., Wilson, M., Herbison, G. P., & Paul, C. (2000). Oral contraceptives and fatal pulmonary embolism. Lancet, 355, 2133-2134.
Paul, C., Wilson, M., Dickson, N. P., Sharples, K. J., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2000). Enhanced surveillance of HIV infections in New Zealand, 1996 - 1998. New Zealand Medical Journal, 113, 390-394.
Dockerty, J. D., Williams, S. M., McGee, R. O., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2000). Impact of childhood cancer on the mental health of parents. Medical & Pediatric Oncology, 35(5), 475-483.
Skegg, D. C. G. (2000). Third generation oral contraceptives. British Medical Journal, 321, 190-191.
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Skegg, D. C. G. (2000). Oral contraceptives and venous thromboembolism. New Zealand Medical Journal, 113, 385.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Parkin, L., Skegg, D. C. G., Wilson, M., Herbison, G. P., & Paul, C. (2000, October). Oral contraceptives and fatal pulmonary embolism. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine Registrar Presentations, Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
1999
Journal - Research Article
Dockerty, J. D., Skegg, D. C. G., Elwood, J. M., Herbison, G. P., Becroft, D. M. O., & Lewis, M. E. (1999). Infections, vaccinations, and the risk of childhood leukaemia. British Journal of Cancer, 80(9), 1483-1489.
McCredie, M. R. E., Paul, C. E., Skegg, D. C. G., & Williams, S. M. (1999). Breast cancer in Maori and non-Maori women. International Journal of Epidemiology, 28, 189-195.
Skegg, D. C. G. (1999). Oral contraception and health. British Medical Journal, 318, 69-70.
Skegg, D. C. G. (1999). Safety and efficacy of fertility-regulating methods: a decade of research. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 77, 713-721.
Dockerty, J. D., Elwood, J. M., Skegg, D. C. G., & Herbison, G. P. (1999). Electromagnetic field exposures and childhood leukaemia in New Zealand. Lancet, 354(9194), 1967-1968.
1998
Journal - Research Article
McCredie, M. R. E., Paul, C. E., Skegg, D. C. G., & Williams, S. M. (1998). Reproductive factors and breast cancer in New Zealand. International Journal of Cancer, 76, 182-188.
Skegg, D. C. G. (1998). BSE and CJD. New Zealand Science Review, 55, 52.
Skegg, D. C. G. (1998). Mission-oriented research: a case study. Lancet, 351, 1952-1954.
Dockerty, J. D., Elwood, J. M., Skegg, D. C. G., & Herbison, G. P. (1998). Electromagnetic field exposures and childhood cancers in New Zealand. Cancer Causes & Control, 9, 299-309.
1997
Chapter in Book - Research
Skegg, D. C. G., Atkinson, P., Fennessy, P. F., Marbrook, J., Scott, B., & Wilks, C. R. (1997). Report from the BSE Expert Science Panel. In Meat and Human Health Symposium. (Miscellaneous Series (Royal Society of New Zealand), 38). (pp. 97-100). Wellington: Royal Society of New Zealand.
Journal - Research Article
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, including Paul, C., & Skegg, D. C. G. (1997). Breast cancer and hormone replacement therapy: Collaborative reanalysis of data from 51 epidemiological studies of 52 705 women with breast cancer and 108 411 women without breast cancer. Lancet, 350(9084), 1047-1059.
McCredie, M. R., Paul, C. E., Skegg, D. C. G., & Williams, S. M. (1997). Family history and risk of breast cancer in New Zealand. International Journal of Cancer, 73(4), 503-507.
Paul, C. E., Skegg, D. C. G., & Williams, S. M. (1997). Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: patterns of use and reasons for discontinuation. Contraception, 56(4), 209-214.
Skegg, D. (1997). Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: epidemic or false alarm? Nature, 385(6613), 200.
Skegg, D. (1997). Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. New Zealand Medical Journal, 110(1044), 177-178.
Skegg, D. C. G. (1997). Oral contraceptives and venous thromboembolic disease. WHO Drug Information, 11(2), 53-56.
1996
Journal - Research Article
Skegg, D. C. G., Paul, C., Spears, G. F. S., & Williams, S. M. (1996). Progestogen-only oral contraceptives and risk of breast cancer in New Zealand. Cancer Causes & Control, 7, 513-519.
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, including Paul, C., & Skegg, D. C. G. (1996). Breast cancer and hormonal contraceptives: collaborative reanalysis of individual data on 53,297 women with breast cancer and 100,239 women without breast cancer from 54 epidemiological studies. Lancet, 347, 1713-1727.
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, including Skegg, D. C. G. (1996). Breast cancer and hormonal contraceptives: further results. Contraception, 54, 1-106.
Sharples, K. J., Dickson, N. P., Paul, C. E., & Skegg, D. (1996). HIV/AIDS in New Zealand: an epidemic in decline? AIDS, 10, 1273-1278.
Skegg, D. C. G. (1996). Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and cancer risk. Gynaecology Forum, 1, 7-9.
Skegg, D. (1996). Sacred cows, science and uncertainties. Nature, 382, 755-756.
1995
Journal - Research Article
Skegg, D. (1995). Risk assessment issues in breast cancer. Mutation Research: Fundamental & Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 333, 51-58.
Skegg, D. (1995). Breast cancer: progress at last? Lancet, 346, S15.
Paul, C., Skegg, D. C. G., & Spears, G. F. S. (1995). Oral contraceptive use and risk of breast cancer in older women (New Zealand). Cancer Causes & Control, 6, 485-491.