Joanna Lai

Dr. Joanna Lai is a Health Specialist at UNICEF Headquarters, where she serves as the technical focal point for school health, mental health, and adolescent health. Her work focuses on developing and implementing health and counseling programs for children, adolescents, and caregivers through schools, community platforms, and primary healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Dr. Lai’s expertise lies in adolescent mental health, school-based health interventions, and public health strategy development. She has been actively involved in co-developing intervention tools that aim to enhance mental well-being among adolescents and caregivers. Her research explores psychosocial challenges faced by young people, including barriers to accessing mental health services, the role of adolescent connectedness, and risk factors for emotional distress. She has contributed to studies examining pregnant adolescents’ mental health in LMICs, providing insights into the social and healthcare challenges they face.

Her work extends to health promotion and disease prevention, ensuring that adolescent health initiatives are integrated into broader health systems and policies. She collaborates with global health organizations to refine strategies for vaccine confidence and communication, addressing misinformation and improving public trust in immunization programs. Dr. Lai has supported efforts to enhance health literacy among young populations, advocating for equitable access to healthcare services.

Beyond research and policy development, Dr. Lai plays a key role in training and capacity building, mentoring professionals in adolescent health program implementation. She has contributed to interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate education, mental health, and primary healthcare, ensuring that interventions are culturally relevant and accessible

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