Associate Professor Nick Wilson, Department of Public Health, Our people, University of Otago, Wellington, University of Otago, New Zealand

nick wilson photo

MB ChB, DIH, MPH

Professor (Public Health), and Director BODE³ Programme

Contact details
Research interests and activities
Publications

Contact details

Tel +64 4 918 6469
Mob +64 21 204 5523
Email nick.wilson@otago.ac.nz
Blog blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert

Research interests and activities

Nick is a medical doctor who subsequently specialised as a public health physician and then moved into university-based research. He has over 450 Medline-indexed publications in peer-reviewed journals. His research interests include:

The health economics of primary prevention of chronic diseases (see the BODE³ Programme)
Tobacco use epidemiology and control (see also the ITC project website and other tobacco control work)
Infectious disease epidemiology and control (particularly pandemic influenza but also other infectious diseases)
Prevention of existential risks such as climate disruption and nuclear war (Existential Risks)
Background Documents and forms – for research projects which Nick is involved with

^ Top of page

Publications

Bennett, J., Shorter, C., Kvalsvig, A., Telfar Barnard, L., Wilson, N., Crane, J., Douwes, J., Cunningham, C., … Summers, J., … Baker, M. G., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2022). Indoor air quality, largely neglected and in urgent need of a refresh. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1559), 136-139. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Carvalho, N., Sousa, T. V., Mizdrak, A., Jones, A., Wilson, N., & Blakely, T. (2022). Comparing health gains, costs and cost-effectiveness of 100s of interventions in Australia and New Zealand: An online interactive league table. Population Health Metrics, 20, 17. doi: 10.1186/s12963-022-00294-3

Kvalsvig, A., Baker, M., Summers, J., Telfar Barnard, L., Dickson, A., Bennett, J., Timu-Parata, C., Wilson, N., (2022, May). The urgent need for a Covid-19 Action Plan for Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Public Health Expert blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/the-urgent-need-for-a-covid-19-action-plan-for-schools-in-aotearoa-new-zealand/

Baker, M., Summers, J., Kvalsvig, A., Harwood, M., Wilson, N. (2022, January). Preparing for Omicron: A proactive Government response is urgently needed to minimise harms. Public Health Expert blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/preparing-for-omicron-a-proactive-government-response-is-urgently-needed-to-minimise-harms/

Kvalsvig, A., Brooks, A., Wilson, N., Bennett, J., Summers, J., Timu-Parata, C., Wild, C., Tuari-Toma, B., Jackson, C., Baker, M. (2022, March). Longer-term harm from Covid-19 in children: The evidence suggests greater efforts are needed to protect children in Aotearoa NZ from infection. Public Health Expert blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/longer-term-harm-from-covid-19-in-children-the-evidence-suggests-greater-efforts-are-needed-to-protect-children-in-aotearoa-nz-from-infection/

Thomson, G., & Wilson, N. (2017). Global tobacco industry. In S. R. Quah & W. Cockerham (Eds.), The International encyclopedia of public health (Vol. 3). (2nd ed.) (pp. 292-300). Oxford, UK: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-803678-5.00463-X

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, G., & Wilson, N. (2015). The global tobacco industry. In M. J. Caplan (Ed.), Reference module in biomedical sciences. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.03201-3

Chapter in Book - Research

Wilson, N., Howden-Chapman, P., Wickens, K., & Crane, J. (2009). Indoor mould exposure and health. In P. Howden-Chapman, J. Bennett & R. Siebers (Eds.), Do damp and mould matter? Health impacts of leaky homes. (pp. 19-23). Wellington, New Zealand: Steele Roberts.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, G., & Wilson, N. (2008). The tobacco industry. In K. Heggenhougen & S. Quah (Eds.), International encyclopedia of public health (Vol. 6). (pp. 331-337). San Diego, USA: Academic Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, G., Wilson, N., & Crane, J. (2008). Rethinking the regulatory framework for tobacco control in New Zealand. In A. Ghose (Ed.), Impact of government policies on marketing strategies. (pp. 179-188). Hyderabad, India: Icfai University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Blakely, T. A., Hales, S., Kieft, C. E., Wilson, N., & Woodward, A. (2004). Distribution of risk factors by poverty. In M. Ezzati, A. D. Lopez, A. Rodgers & C. J. L. Murray (Eds.), Comparative quantification of health risks: Volume 2: Global and regional burden of disease attributable to selected major risk factors. (pp. 1941-2127). Geneva: World Health Organization.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, G. W., & Wilson, N. (2001). Tobacco control policy. In P. Davis & T. Ashton (Eds.), Health and public policy in New Zealand. (pp. 237-254). Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Howden-Chapman, P. L., & Wilson, N. (2000). Housing and Health. In P. Howden-Chapman & M. Tobias (Eds.), Social Inequalities and Health: New Zealand 1999. (pp. 133-146). Wellington: Ministry of Health.

Chapter in Book - Research

Howden-Chapman, P. L., Wilson, N., & Blakely, T. A. (2000). Introduction. In P. Howden-Chapman & M. Tobias (Eds.), Social Inequalities and Health in New Zealand: New Zealand 1999. (pp. 1-7). Wellington: Ministry of Health.

Chapter in Book - Research

Howden-Chapman, P. L., Wilson, N., & Blakely, T. A. (2000). Summary and conclusions. In P. Howden-Chapman & M. Tobias (Eds.), Social Inequalities and Health in New Zealand: New Zealand 1999. (pp. 147-168). Wellington: Ministry of Health.

Chapter in Book - Research

Howden-Chapman, P., Wilson, N., & Blakely, T. (2000). Introduction. In Social inequalities in health: New Zealand 1999. (pp. 1-7). Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health.

Chapter in Book - Research

Howden-Chapman, P., Wilson, N., & Blakely, T. (2000). Summary and conclusion. In Social inequalities in health: New Zealand 1999. (pp. 147-167). Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health.

Chapter in Book - Research

Wilson, N. (2000). Education and health. In Social inequalities in health: New Zealand 1999. (pp. 87-101). Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health.

Chapter in Book - Research

Wilson, N. (2000). Labour force status and health. In Social inequalities in health: New Zealand 1999. (pp. 119-132). Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health.

Chapter in Book - Research

Wilson, N. (2000). Occupational class and health. In Social inequalities in health: New Zealand 1999. (pp. 103-118). Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health.

Chapter in Book - Research

Camacho, X., Nedkoff, L., Wright, F. L., Nghiem, N., Buajitti, E., Goldacre, R., … Wilson, N., Blakely, T., & Clarke, P. (2022). Relative contribution of trends in myocardial infarction event rates and case fatality to declines in mortality: An international comparative study of 1·95 million events in 80·4 million people in four countries. Lancet Public Health, 7(3), 229-239. doi: 10.1016/s2468-2667(22)00006-8

Journal - Research Article

Jones, A. C., Grout, L., Wilson, N., Nghiem, N., & Cleghorn, C. (2022). The cost-effectiveness of a mass media campaign to promote smartphone apps for weight loss: Updated modeling study. JMIR Formative Research, 6(4), e29291. doi: 10.2196/29291

Journal - Research Article

Thompson, J., McClure, R., Blakely, T., Wilson, N., Baker, M. G., Wijnands, J. S., … Stevenson, M. (2022). Modelling SARS-CoV-2 disease progression in Australia and New Zealand: An account of an agent-based approach to support public health decision-making. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13221

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., Hoek, J., Nghiem, N., Summers, J., Grout, L., & Edwards, R. (2022). Modelling the impacts of tobacco denicotinisation on achieving the Smokefree 2025 goal in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1548), 65-76. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Blakely, T., Sigglekow, F., Irfan, M., Mizdrak, A., Dieleman, J., Bablani, L., … Wilson, N. (2021). Disease-related income and economic productivity loss in New Zealand: A longitudinal analysis of linked individual-level data. PLoS Medicine, 18(11), e1003848. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003848

Journal - Research Article

Boyd, M., & Wilson, N. (2021). Optimizing island refuges against global catastrophic and existential biological threats: Priorities and preparations. Risk Analysis. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/risa.13735

Journal - Research Article

Chambers, T., Joy, M., Wilson, N., Hales, S., & Baker, M. (2021). Quantifying the nitrate levels in bottled water in New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13196

Journal - Research Article

Grout, L., Katar, A., Ouakrim, D. A., Summers, J. A., Kvalsvig, A., Baker, M. G., Blakely, T., & Wilson, N. (2021). Failures of quarantine systems for preventing COVID-19 outbreaks in Australia and New Zealand. Medical Journal of Australia. Advance online publication. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51240

Journal - Research Article

Grout, L., Telfer, K., Wilson, N., Cleghorn, C., & Mizdrak, A. (2021). Prescribing smartphone apps for physical activity promotion in primary care: Modeling study of health gain and cost savings. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(12), e31702. doi: 10.2196/31702

Journal - Research Article

Hoenink, J. C., Waterlander, W. E., Mackenbach, J. D., Ni Mhurchu, C., Wilson, N., Beulens, J. W. J., & Nghiem, N. (2021). Impact of taxes on purchases of close substitute foods: Analysis of cross-price elasticities using data from a randomized experiment. Nutrition Journal, 20, 75. doi: 10.1186/s12937-021-00736-y

Journal - Research Article

Nghiem, N., & Wilson, N. (2021). Potential impact of COVID-19 related unemployment on increased cardiovascular disease in a high-income country: Modeling health loss, cost and equity. PLoS ONE, 16(5), e0246053. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246053

Journal - Research Article

Teng, A. M., Genç, M., Herman, J., Signal, L., Areai, D., & Wilson, N. (2021). Impact of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes on price, import and sale volumes in an island nation: Interrupted time series analysis. Public Health Nutrition, 24(7), 1828-1835. doi: 10.1017/s1368980021000185

Journal - Research Article

Teng, A., Buffière, B., Genç, M., Latavao, T., Puloka, V., Signal, L., & Wilson, N. (2021). Equity of expenditure changes associated with a sweetened-beverage tax in Tonga: Repeated cross-sectional household surveys. BMC Public Health, 21, 149. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-10139-z

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., & Thomson, G. (2021). Deficient handwashing amenities in public toilets in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-regional survey. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1538), 18-27. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., Baker, M. G., Blakely, T., & Eichner, M. (2021). Estimating the impact of control measures to prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 associated with air travel into a COVID-19-free country. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 10766. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-89807-y

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., Blakely, T., Baker, M. G., & Eichner, M. (2021). Estimating the risk of outbreaks of COVID-19 associated with shore leave by merchant ship crews: Simulation studies for New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1529), 26-38. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., Clement, C., Summers, J. A., Thomson, G., & Harper, G. (2021). Impact of war on veteran life span: Natural experiment involving combat versus non-combat exposed military personnel. BMJ Military Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-001991

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., Clement, C., Thomson, G., & Harper, G. (2021). Health impacts for New Zealand military personnel from the South African War of 1899-1902. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1532), 22-43. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., Gurram, N., Grout, L., & Thomson, G. (2021). A survey of the smokefree status of pedestrian-only spaces in 10 New Zealand local government areas. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1544), 69-80. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., Jones, A., Teng, A., & Thomson, G. (2021). The epidemiology of attacks on statues: New Zealand as a case study. PLoS ONE, 16(6), e0252567. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252567

Journal - Research Article

Abeling, S., Horspool, N., Johnston, D., Dizhur, D., Wilson, N., Clement, C., & Ingham, J. (2020). Patterns of earthquake-related mortality at a whole-country level: New Zealand, 1840-2017. Earthquake Spectra, 36(1), 138-163. doi: 10.1177/8755293019878190

Journal - Research Article

Blakely, T., Cleghorn, C., Mizdrak, A., Waterlander, W., Nghiem, N., Swinburn, B., Wilson, N., & Ni Mhurchu, C. (2020). The effect of food taxes and subsidies on population health and health costs: A modelling study. Lancet Public Health, 5(7), e404-e413. doi: 10.1016/s2468-2667(20)30116-x

Journal - Research Article

Blakely, T., Cleghorn, C., Petrović-van der Deen, F., Cobiac, L. J., Mizdrak, A., Mackenbach, J. P., … Wilson, N. (2020). Prospective impact of tobacco eradication and overweight and obesity eradication on future morbidity and health-adjusted life expectancy: Simulation study. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 74, 354-361. doi: 10.1136/jech-2019-213091

Journal - Research Article

Blakely, T., Moss, R., Collins, J., Mizdrak, A., Singh, A., Carvalho, N., Wilson, N., … Flaxman, A. (2020). Proportional multistate lifetable modelling of preventive interventions: Concepts, code and worked examples. International Journal of Epidemiology, 49(5), 1624-1636. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyaa132

Journal - Research Article

Boyd, M. J., Wilson, N., & Nelson, C. (2020). Validation analysis of Global Health Security Index (GHSI) scores 2019. BMJ Global Health, 5, e003276. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003276

Journal - Research Article

Boyd, M., & Wilson, N. (2020). The prioritization of island nations as refuges from extreme pandemics. Risk Analysis, 40(2), 227-239. doi: 10.1111/risa.13398

Journal - Research Article

Boyd, M., Kvizhinadze, G., Kho, A., Wilson, G., & Wilson, N. (2020). Cataract surgery for falls prevention and improving vision: Modelling the health gain, health system costs and cost-effectiveness in a high-income country. Injury Prevention, 26, 302-309. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043184

Journal - Research Article

Mizdrak, A., Telfer, K., Direito, A., Cobiac, L. J., Blakely, T., Cleghorn, C. L., & Wilson, N. (2020). Health gain, cost impacts, and cost-effectiveness of a mass media campaign to promote smartphone apps for physical activity: Modeling study. JMIR mHealth & uHealth, 8(6), e18014. doi: 10.2196/18014

Journal - Research Article

Teng, A., Puloka, V., Genç, M., Filimoehala, O., Latu, C., Lolomana'ia, M., … Signal, L., & Wilson, N. (2020). Sweetened beverage taxes and changes in beverage price, imports and manufacturing: Interrupted time series analysis in a middle-income country. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity, 17, 90. doi: 10.1186/s12966-020-00980-1

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., Boyd, M., Kvalsvig, A., Chambers, T., & Baker, M. (2020). Public health aspects of the Covid-19 response and opportunities for the post-pandemic era. Policy Quarterly, 16(3), 20-24.

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., Schwehm, M., Verrall, A. J., Parry, M., Baker, M. G., & Eichner, M. (2020). Detecting the re-emergent COVID-19 pandemic after elimination: Modelling study of combined primary care and hospital surveillance. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1524), 28-39. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Cleghorn, C. L., Wilson, N., Nair, N., Kvizhinadze, G., Nghiem, N., McLeod, M., & Blakely, T. (2019). Health benefits and costs of weight-loss dietary counselling by nurses in primary care: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Public Health Nutrition, 23(1), 83-93. doi: 10.1017/s1368980019002945

Journal - Research Article

Cleghorn, C., Blakely, T., Ni Mhurchu, C., Wilson, N., Neal, B., & Eyles, H. (2019). Estimating the health benefits and cost-savings of a cap on the size of single serve sugar-sweetened beverages. Preventive Medicine, 120, 150-156. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.01.009

Journal - Research Article

Cleghorn, C., Wilson, N., Nair, N., Kvizhinadze, G., Nghiem, N., McLeod, M., & Blakely, T. (2019). Health benefits and cost-effectiveness from promoting smartphone apps for weight loss: Multistate life table modeling. JMIR mHealth & uHealth, 7(1), e11118. doi: 10.2196/11118

Journal - Research Article

More publications...