Q&A with Dr Courtney Barnes

Identifying and testing practical ways to prevent young people from taking up e-cigarettes

What are you currently researching?

My current research aims to reduce future cardiovascular disease by preventing ecigarette (vaping) use among adolescents in Australia. Vaping is common among young people, with almost 30% of people aged 14-17 having used an e-cigarette at least once in their lifetime, and it more than triples the likelihood that they will later take up tobacco smoking, which is one of the biggest causes of heart disease. Despite strong calls for action, we still don’t know which vaping prevention programs are effective, affordable and suitable for delivery at scale.

To help fill this gap, my project includes three linked studies:

• I am conducting a randomised controlled trial to test a low-cost text-message program for adolescents and their parents.
• I lead a continuously updated Cochrane living review that summarises global evidence on what works to prevent vaping.
• I am assessing the scalability of promising interventions in the Australian context to understand which ones can realistically be delivered nationwide.

Together, these studies will generate practical, policy-relevant evidence to help protect young people’s long-term heart health.

What difference will your research make to people’s cardiovascular health in Australia?

My research will strengthen the limited evidence base for preventing adolescent vaping. By identifying which interventions work and can be delivered widely, my findings will support Australian policymakers, schools and prevention agencies to choose effective programs instead of untested or ineffective approaches.

Through ongoing collaboration with national prevention agencies, my work has strong potential for rapid translation into real-world policy and practice. The Cochrane living review will provide

continually updated global evidence so that prevention decisions reflect the most current research. The scalability assessments will address a critical gap by helping organisations understand which approaches can be expanded to reach large numbers of young people.

By supporting better prevention efforts, this research will contribute to reducing future tobacco use and the long-term burden of cardiovascular disease in Australia.

What motivated you to do your research?

I have spent almost ten years working in health promotion and prevention, and I’ve seen firsthand how the right programs can make a real difference in young people’s lives. I am passionate about generating strong, reliable evidence that can guide public health action. Preventing vaping before it becomes a lifelong habit is a major opportunity to protect young people’s health and reduce future risk of heart disease. That commitment continues to motivate my work every day.

Are there any achievements or discoveries from the past year you can share with us?

I recently published a Cochrane living systematic review that summarises global evidence on adolescent vaping prevention. With support from the Heart Foundation, this review will be regularly updated so that decision-makers always have access to the latest and most reliable information. This work has already been used in national and international policy discussions, reflecting the strong demand for high-quality evidence in this rapidly evolving area.

What role has Heart Foundation funding had in your career journey?

The Heart Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship has been essential in helping me grow as a researcher. This support allows me to work closely with experts, expand an urgently needed evidence base and accelerate the delivery of high-quality research that can guide prevention efforts. The funding strengthens our team’s ability to gather and share evidence quickly, helping shape stronger policies and programs to protect young people’s heart health.

Do you have a message for Heart Foundation supporters?

I am deeply grateful for the generosity of Heart Foundation donors. Your support makes it possible to build better prevention programs, protect young people’s health and reduce future rates of heart disease. Thank you for believing in this work and for helping create a healthier future for young people across Australia.