Leo Beletsky

Leo Beletsky is a Professor of Law and Health Sciences at Northeastern University, holding an interdisciplinary appointment between the School of Law and Bouvé College of Health Sciences. He directs The Action Lab, focusing on translating research into policy and public health strategies. His work examines the intersection of law enforcement practices, public health outcomes, and health disparities, with a focus on substance use, overdose crises, and criminal justice reform.

Education: AB in Geography (Vassar College, 2000), MPH (Brown University, 2004), JD (Temple University, 2008), post-doctoral training (Yale University).

Research interests include public health law, criminal justice policy, drug law reform, and the health impacts of policing. He has conducted NIH-funded studies on law enforcement training and its effects on public health, particularly in reducing overdose-related harms. His work emphasizes racial disparities in health outcomes and advocating for evidence-based policies.

Awards include recognition from the International AIDS Society, Association of American Law Schools, and First Church of Cambridge. He actively collaborates with governmental and non-governmental organizations, including The Global Fund and The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Notable projects include evaluating post-overdose outreach programs, analyzing police training efficacy, and addressing overdose-related stigma. Prior to Northeastern, he was a faculty member at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, where he retains an adjunct appointment.