Yajun Liang

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About me

I am an associate professor in the Epidemiology and Public Health Intervention Research (EPHIR) group at the Department of Global Public Health (GPH). Bachelor degree (1997-2002) in Preventive Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China Master degree (2005-2008) in Epidemiology & Health Statistics, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China PhD degree (2008-2011) in Epidemiology & Health Statistics, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China

Research

My main research interest is cardiovascular epidemiology from a life-course perspective. In addition, I work on other topics including pharmaco-epidemiology, mental health, and aging-related diseases (e.g., geriatric syndrome, physical disability, and cognitive impairment).

Teaching

I am the course leader of "Applied Epidemiology 2 - Determinants of health" within Master Programme in Public Health Science at the Department of Global Public Health.

Articles

Article: HEALTHCARE. 2023;11(14):2003

Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Older Adults-Prevalence, Trends and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

Jabri FF; Liang Y; Alhawassi TM; Johnell K; Möller J
Article: ARCHIVES OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS. 2023;109:104963

Cardiovascular health profiles, systemic inflammation, and physical function in older adults: A population-based study.

Fan D; Chen X; Fa W; Liang X; Han X; Wang Y; Cong L; Liang Y; Welmer A-K; Hou T; Du Y; Qiu C
Article: BMC GERIATRICS. 2023;23(1):296

Trends in intentional and unintentional poisonings among older adults - A national register-based study in Sweden.

Möller J; Lindholm E; Fredlund P; Vaez M; Liang Y; Laflamme L
Article: ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY. 2023;78:54-60

The joint effect between fetal growth and health behaviors on the risk of cardiovascular diseases in young adulthood.

Mo M; Möller J; László KD; Liang Y
Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. 2022;20(1):116

The Association between Apparent Temperature and Hospital Admissions for Cardiovascular Disease in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Bühler JL; Shrikhande S; Kapwata T; Cissé G; Liang Y; Pedder H; Kwiatkowski M; Kunene Z; Mathee A; Peer N; Wright CY
Article: DRUG SAFETY. 2022;45(8):873-880

Short-Term Risk of Unintentional Poisoning After New Initiation of Central Nervous System Medications in Swedish Older Adults: A Register-Based Case-Crossover Study.

Zhao Y; Liang Y; Laflamme L; Rausch C; Johnell K; Möller J
Article: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 2022;12(1):13042

Metabolic syndrome in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke: prevalence and association with coronary heart disease.

Liang Y; Yan Z; Hao Y; Wang Q; Zhang Z; She R; Wang P; Du Y; Lau JT; Dekker J; Bai B; Qiu C
Article: BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY. 2022;151:113152

Newly initiated cardiovascular medication and short-term risk of unintentional poisoning among Swedish middle-aged and older adults: A national register-based case-crossover study.

Liang Y; Zhao Y; Johnell K; Rausch C; Laflamme L; Möller J
Article: JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE. 2022;88(1):263-271

Migraine, Cognitive Decline, and Dementia in Older Adults: A Population-Based Study.

Liang Y; Gao Y; Wang R; Grande G; Monastero R; Dong Y; Jiang X; Lv P; Qiu C
Article: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGEING. 2022;19(1):19-25

Geriatric syndromes and subsequent health-care utilization among older community dwellers in Stockholm.

Möller J; Rausch C; Laflamme L; Liang Y
Article: JAMA NETWORK OPEN. 2022;5(1):e2145719

Association of Preeclampsia and Perinatal Complications With Offspring Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Disorders.

Kong L; Chen X; Liang Y; Forsell Y; Gissler M; Lavebratt C
Article: CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS IN AGING. 2022;17:947-956

Association of Cardiovascular Health Metrics with Dementia in Rural Chinese Older Adults: A Population-Based Study.

Han X; Wang Y; Jiang Z; Li Y; Dong Y; Cong L; Hou T; Liang Y; Laukka EJ; Du Y; Qiu C
Article: FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE. 2022;14:887032

Comorbidity in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke: Disease patterns and their associations with cognitive and physical function.

She R; Yan Z; Hao Y; Zhang Z; Du Y; Liang Y; Vetrano DL; Dekker J; Bai B; Lau JTF; Qiu C
Article: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION. 2022;23(1):54-59.e2

Geriatric Syndromes and Incident Chronic Health Conditions Among 9094 Older Community-Dwellers: Findings from the Lifelines Cohort Study.

Rausch C; van Zon SKR; Liang Y; Laflamme L; Möller J; de Rooij SE; Bültmann U
Article: LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH. 2021;9(12):e1667-e1678

Global trends in the prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure among adolescents aged 12-16 years from 1999 to 2018: an analysis of repeated cross-sectional surveys.

Ma C; Heiland EG; Li Z; Zhao M; Liang Y; Xi B
Article: QUALITY OF LIFE RESEARCH. 2021;30(10):2907-2917

Health-related quality of life after first-ever acute ischemic stroke: associations with cardiovascular health metrics.

She R; Yan Z; Hao Y; Zhang Z; Du Y; Liang Y; Vetrano DL; Dekker J; Bai B; Lau JTF; Qiu C
Article: JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE. 2021;44(5):622-629

Latent class growth modelling for the evaluation of intervention outcomes: example from a physical activity intervention.

Lampousi A-M; Möller J; Liang Y; Berglind D; Forsell Y
Article: BMC PUBLIC HEALTH. 2021;21(1):1263

Informal care and the impact on depression and anxiety among Swedish adults: a population-based cohort study.

Stratmann M; Forsell Y; Möller J; Liang Y
Article: PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY. 2021;35(3):318-327

Maternal age at birth and neonatal mortality: Associations from 67 low-income and middle-income countries.

Wu H; Zhao M; Liang Y; Liu F; Xi B
Article: BMJ OPEN. 2021;11(4):e043657

Death of a parent during childhood and blood pressure in youth: a population-based cohort study of Swedish men.

Chen H; Hemmingsson T; Janszky I; Rostila M; Forsell Y; Meng L; Liang Y; László KD
Article: LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH. 2021;5(4):245-255

Prevalence and trends in tobacco use among adolescents aged 13-15 years in 143 countries, 1999-2018: findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Surveys.

Ma C; Xi B; Li Z; Wu H; Zhao M; Liang Y; Bovet P
Article: BMC GERIATRICS. 2021;21(1):158

Sex disparities in cardiovascular health metrics among rural-dwelling older adults in China: a population-based study.

Han X; Jiang Z; Li Y; Wang Y; Liang Y; Dong Y; Tang S; Du Y; Qiu C
Article: PLOS MEDICINE. 2020;17(12):e1003474

Cardiovascular health metrics from mid- to late-life and risk of dementia: A population-based cohort study in Finland.

Liang Y; Ngandu T; Laatikainen T; Soininen H; Tuomilehto J; Kivipelto M; Qiu C
Article: PEDIATRIC OBESITY. 2020;15(11):e12665

Maternal body mass index and risks of neonatal mortality and offspring overweight and obesity: Findings from 0.5 million samples in 61 low- and middle-income countries.

Wu H; Liu F; Zhao M; Liang Y; Xi B
Article: JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH. 2020;56(10):1577-1583

Association between paternal age and offspring's under-5 mortality: Data from 159 surveys in 67 low- to middle-income countries.

Wu H; Zhao M; Liang Y; Xi B
Article: BMC PUBLIC HEALTH. 2020;20(1):1062

Smoking, heavy drinking, physical inactivity, and obesity among middle-aged and older adults in China: cross-sectional findings from the baseline survey of CHARLS 2011-2012.

Ding L; Liang Y; Tan ECK; Hu Y; Zhang C; Liu Y; Xue F; Wang R
Article: PEDIATRICS. 2020;145(5):e20192209

Breastfeeding and Mortality Under 2 Years of Age in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Zhao M; Wu H; Liang Y; Liu F; Bovet P; Xi B
Article: JOURNAL OF HUMAN HYPERTENSION. 2020;34(4):319-325

Body mass index percentiles and elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents.

Wang M; Kelishadi R; Khadilkar A; Mi Hong Y; Nawarycz T; Krzywińska-Wiewiorowska M; Aounallah-Skhiri H; Esmaeil Motlagh M; Soon Kim H; Khadilkar V; Krzyżaniak A; Ben Romdhane H; Heshmat R; Chiplonkar S; Stawińska-Witoszyńska B; El Ati J; Qorbani M; Kajale N; Traissac P; Ostrowska-Nawarycz L; Ardalan G; Ekbote V; Yang L; Zhao M; Liu X; Liang Y; Xi B
Article: PLOS ONE. 2020;15(10):e0240804

Life-course blood pressure trajectories and cardiovascular diseases: A population-based cohort study in China.

Xu Y; Möller J; Wang R; Liang Y
Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY. 2019;296:141-148

The age-related blood pressure trajectories from young-old adults to centenarians: A cohort study.

Wang R; Vetrano DL; Liang Y; Qiu C
Article: HYPERTENSION. 2019;74(6):1343-1348

Impact of the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics Guideline on Hypertension Prevalence Compared With the Fourth Report in an International Cohort.

Yang L; Kelishadi R; Hong YM; Khadilkar A; Nawarycz T; Krzywińska-Wiewiorowska M; Aounallah-Skhiri H; Motlagh ME; Kim HS; Khadilkar V; Krzyżaniak A; Ben Romdhane H; Heshmat R; Chiplonkar S; Stawińska-Witoszyńska B; El Ati J; Qorbani M; Kajale N; Traissac P; Ostrowska-Nawarycz L; Ardalan G; Ekbote V; Zhao M; Heiland EG; Liang Y; Xi B
Article: BMC GERIATRICS. 2019;19(1):267

Social position and geriatric syndromes among Swedish older people: a population-based study.

Rausch C; Liang Y; Bültmann U; de Rooij SE; Johnell K; Laflamme L; Möller J
Article: BMJ OPEN. 2019;9(7):e031132

Trajectories of sickness absence after road traffic injury: a Swedish register-based cohort study.

Rissanen R; Liang Y; Moeller J; Nevriana A; Berg H-Y; Hasselberg M
Article: EAR AND HEARING. 2019;40(2):253-259

Heritability of Age-Related Hearing Loss in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese: A Population-Based Twin Study.

Duan H; Zhang D; Liang Y; Xu C; Wu Y; Tian X; Pang Z; Tan Q; Li S; Qiu C
Article: PEDIATRIC OBESITY. 2019;14(3):e12468

Prevalence of underweight and overweight among young adolescents aged 12-15 years in 58 low-income and middle-income countries.

Yang L; Bovet P; Ma C; Zhao M; Liang Y; Xi B
Article: FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS. 2019;7:307

Hypertension Prevalence Based on Three Separate Visits and Its Association With Obesity Among Chinese Children and Adolescents.

Zhang Q; Yang L; Zhang Y; Zhao M; Liang Y; Xi B
Article: PLOS ONE. 2019;14(10):e0223778

Life-course trajectories of body mass index and subsequent cardiovascular risk among Chinese population.

Islam MT; Möller J; Zhou X; Liang Y
Article: BMC GERIATRICS. 2018;18(1):322

Prevalence, trend and contributing factors of geriatric syndromes among older Swedes: results from the Stockholm County Council Public Health Surveys.

Liang Y; Rausch C; Laflamme L; Möller J
Article: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION. 2018;19(7):577-583

Antihypertensive Medication Regimen Intensity and Incident Dementia in an Older Population.

Tan ECK; Qiu C; Liang Y; Wang R; Bell JS; Fastbom J; Fratiglioni L; Johnell K
Article: LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH. 2018;2(6):415-429

Alcohol use among young adolescents in low-income and middle-income countries: a population-based study.

Ma C; Bovet P; Yang L; Zhao M; Liang Y; Xi B
Article: BMC GERIATRICS. 2017;17(1):294

Serum total cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in old age: a population-based study.

Liang Y; Vetrano DL; Qiu C
Article: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY. 2017;65(11):2418-2424

Cardiovascular Risk Burden and Future Risk of Walking Speed Limitation in Older Adults.

Heiland EG; Qiu C; Wang R; Santoni G; Liang Y; Fratiglioni L; Welmer A-K
Article: BMJ OPEN. 2017;7(8):e016996

Trends in disability of instrumental activities of daily living among older Chinese adults, 1997-2006: population based study.

Liang Y; Welmer A-K; Möller J; Qiu C
Article: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 2017;107(7):1095-1100

Consumption of Carbonated Soft Drinks Among Young Adolescents Aged 12 to 15 Years in 53 Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Yang L; Bovet P; Liu Y; Zhao M; Ma C; Liang Y; Xi B
Article: HYPERTENSION RESEARCH. 2017;40(5):496-503

Definition of pediatric hypertension: are blood pressure measurements on three separate occasions necessary?

Sun J; Steffen LM; Ma C; Liang Y; Xi B
Article: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY. 2017;65(2):306-312

Trends in Incidence of Disability in Activities of Daily Living in Chinese Older Adults: 1993-2006.

Liang Y; Welmer A-K; Wang R; Song A; Fratiglioni L; Qiu C
Article: LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH. 2016;4(11):e795-e805

Tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure in young adolescents aged 12-15 years: data from 68 low-income and middle-income countries.

Xi B; Liang Y; Liu Y; Yan Y; Zhao M; Ma C; Bovet P
Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY. 2016;220:508-513

Effects of biological age on the associations of blood pressure with cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in old age: A population-based study.

Liang Y; Fratiglioni L; Wang R; Santoni G; Welmer A-K; Qiu C
Article: BMC GERIATRICS. 2016;16:7

Interactive effects of diabetes and impaired kidney function on cognitive performance in old age: a population-based study.

Yin Z; Yan Z; Liang Y; Jiang H; Cai C; Song A; Feng L; Qiu C
Article: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY. 2016;23(1):201-204

Carotid stenosis and cognitive impairment amongst older Chinese adults living in a rural area: a population-based study.

Yan Z; Liang Y; Shi J; Cai C; Jiang H; Song A; Qiu C
Article: GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL. 2015;15(12):1242-1248

Use of medications and functional dependence among Chinese older adults in a rural community: A population-based study.

Liang Y; Johnell K; Yan Z; Cai C; Jiang H; Welmer A-K; Qiu C
Article: BLOOD PRESSURE. 2015;24(5):284-292

Cardiovascular target organ damage could have been detected in sustained pediatric hypertension.

Meng L; Hou D; Zhao X; Hu Y; Liang Y; Liu J; Yan Y; Mi J
Article: JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES. 2015;70(6):739-745

Trends in disability in activities of daily living among Chinese older adults, 1997-2006: the China Health and Nutrition Survey.

Liang Y; Song A; Du S; Guralnik JM; Qiu C
Article: PLOS ONE. 2015;10(3):e0119582

Prevalence, pharmacological treatment, and control of cardiometabolic risk factors among older people in central Stockholm: a population-based study.

Wang R; Fratiglioni L; Liang Y; Welmer A-K; Xu W; Mangialasche F; Johnell K; Qiu C
Article: PLOS ONE. 2015;10(9):e0138521

Prevalence and Patterns of Chronic Disease Pairs and Multimorbidity among Older Chinese Adults Living in a Rural Area.

Wang R; Yan Z; Liang Y; Tan ECK; Cai C; Jiang H; Song A; Qiu C
Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY. 2014;177(3):836-839

Cardiovascular remodeling relates to elevated childhood blood pressure: Beijing Blood Pressure Cohort Study.

Liang Y; Hou D; Shan X; Zhao X; Hu Y; Jiang B; Wang L; Liu J; Cheng H; Yang P; Shan X; Yan Y; Chowienczyk PJ; Mi J
Article: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY. 2014;21(10):1267-1274

Highly prevalent and poorly controlled cardiovascular risk factors among Chinese elderly people living in the rural community.

Song A; Liang Y; Yan Z; Sun B; Cai C; Jiang H; Qiu C
Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE. 2014;21(4):590-596

Association between lipid profile and depressive symptoms among Chinese older people: mediation by cardiovascular diseases?

Liang Y; Yan Z; Cai C; Jiang H; Song A; Qiu C
Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE. 2014;21(4):597-604

Vascular risk factor burden, atherosclerosis, and functional dependence in old age: a population-based study.

Welmer A-K; Liang Y; Angleman S; Santoni G; Yan Z; Cai C; Qiu C
Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY. 2014;175(1):96-101

Trends in incidence of hypertension in Chinese adults, 1991-2009: the China Health and Nutrition Survey.

Liang Y; Liu R; Du S; Qiu C
Article: PEDIATRICS. 2014;134(1):e106-e111

Hypertension screening using blood pressure to height ratio.

Xi B; Zhang M; Zhang T; Liang Y; Li S; Steffen LM
Article: METABOLIC SYNDROME AND RELATED DISORDERS. 2014;12(5):269-276

Metabolic syndrome and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis among Chinese elderly people living in a rural community.

Yan Z; Liang Y; Jiang H; Cai C; Sun B; Qiu C
Article: PLOS ONE. 2014;9(1):e85927

Cardiovascular risk factor profiles for peripheral artery disease and carotid atherosclerosis among Chinese older people: a population-based study.

Liang Y; Yan Z; Sun B; Cai C; Jiang H; Song A; Qiu C
Article: BLOOD PRESSURE. 2013;22(1):59-64

Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension based on repeated measurements in Chinese children and adolescents.

Meng L; Liang Y; Liu J; Hu Y; Yan Y; Mi J
Article: PEDIATRIC OBESITY. 2012;7(5):355-364

Trends in general and abdominal obesity among Chinese children and adolescents 1993-2009.

Liang YJ; Xi B; Song AQ; Liu JX; Mi J
Article: OBESITY REVIEWS. 2012;13(3):287-296

Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993-2009.

Xi B; Liang Y; He T; Reilly KH; Hu Y; Wang Q; Yan Y; Mi J
Article: HYPERTENSION RESEARCH. 2011;34(11):1216-1220

Association of the CYP3A5 polymorphism (6986G>A) with blood pressure and hypertension.

Xi B; Wang C; Liu L; Zeng T; Liang Y; Li J; Mi J
Article: BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT. 2011;130(2):561-568

Association between polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system genes and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Xi B; Zeng T; Liu L; Liang Y; Liu W; Hu Y; Li J
Article: BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT. 2011;130(2):517-529

Association between the p53 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk: meta-analysis based on case-control study.

He X-F; Su J; Zhang Y; Huang X; Liu Y; Ding D-P; Wang W; Arparkorn K
Article: BIOMEDICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES. 2011;24(5):459-466

Pubertal hypertension is a strong predictor for the risk of adult hypertension.

Liang Y; Mi J
Article: BLOOD PRESSURE. 2011;20(1):45-53

Trends in blood pressure and hypertension among Chinese children and adolescents: China Health and Nutrition Surveys 1991-2004.

Liang Y-J; Xi B; Hu Y-H; Wang C; Liu J-T; Yan Y-K; Xu T; Wang R-Q
Article: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH. 2011;39(1):23-32

Increase in body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio is associated with high blood pressure in children and adolescents in China.

Hu Y-H; Reilly KH; Liang Y-J; Xi B; Liu J-T; Xu D-J; Yan Y-K; Xie B; Li X-Y
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All other publications

Review: JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION. 2020;38(12):2346-2355

Elevated blood pressure in childhood and hypertension risk in adulthood: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yang L; Sun J; Zhao M; Liang Y; Bovet P; Xi B
Letter: LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH. 2017;5(3):e267

Reducing adolescent smoking in India - Authors' reply.

Xi B; Liang Y; Veeranki SP
Letter: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY. 2016;222:699-700

The role of biological age in the management of hypertension in old age: Does SPRINT tell the whole story?

Liang Y; Vetrano DL; Qiu C
Letter: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY. 2016;67(8):1006-1007

Tracking Body Mass Index From Childhood to Adulthood for Subclinical Cardiovascular Diseases at Adulthood.

Yan Y; Hou D; Liang Y; Zhao X; Hu Y; Liu J; Cheng H; Yang P; Shan X; Xi B; Mi J
Letter: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY. 2013;61(6):1036-1038

Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in elderly people in rural China: a population-based study.

Liang Y; Yan Z; Song A; Cai C; Sun B; Jiang H; Qiu C
Letter: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY. 2013;165(3):577-579

Hypertension trends in Chinese children in the national surveys, 1993 to 2009.

Xi B; Liang Y; Mi J
Letter: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY. 2012;158(2):326-329

Trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among Chinese adults 1991-2009.

Xi B; Liang Y; Reilly KH; Wang Q; Hu Y; Tang W

Employments

Principal Researcher, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2023-

Degrees and Education

Docent, Karolinska Institutet, 2022

About me

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