Linnea Laestadius

Linnea Laestadius is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health Policy & Administration at the Zibler School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Her research focuses on qualitative and mixed methods approaches to study non-medical technologies, health-relevant online communication, and commercial determinants of health. She examines social media marketing of tobacco/nicotine products, AI chatbots’ mental health implications, and food technology. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Stat+, and Slate. She teaches courses on public health policy analysis and qualitative methods.

Education:

• PhD in Public Health Policy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• MPP in Health Policy, George Washington University
• BA in Economics, American University

Research Interests: Dr. Laestadius explores how social media platforms influence health behaviors (e.g., e-cigarette marketing), the ethical dimensions of AI chatbots in mental health, and policy responses to commercial determinants of health. She also investigates food systems sustainability, particularly alternatives to animal products.

Research Trends: Her recent work highlights the evolving landscape of digital health communication, including corporate use of social media influencers, regulatory challenges in emerging technologies (e.g., AI), and pandemic-era shifts in mental health support systems. Thematic threads include equity in technology access, youth health advocacy, and evidence-based policy for public health crises.

Advising & Grants: No formal advisee list is provided in the text. Funding sources or grant details are not explicitly mentioned.

Labs & Teams: Affiliated with research initiatives like the Midwest Youth Wellness Initiative on Technology (MYWIT). Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams studying public health policy and digital health interventions.