Editorial
Welcome to the 23rd volume of Health, Policy and Planning. The journal has continued to build upon its reputation for publishing high quality health systems and policies research in low- and middle-income countries. One measure of our influence is the ISI impact factor, which measures how frequently research papers are cited in the academic press. We are delighted to report that the impact factor for 2006 was 1.750, increased from 1.419 in 2005. While this is clearly good news for journal, it is only a very incomplete measure of the type of influence that we seek to have on policy and practice. Research published in HPP continues to influence policy debates at the global, national and local levels, for example, through defining challenges for policy and practice, contributing to the development of research methods, informing service delivery reform, influencing debate in spheres beyond the narrow purview of health and, we hope, helping create and support networks of actors interested in health policy and planning that bridge the research and practitioner communities.
We are delighted to welcome Felicia Knaul from the Mexican Health Foundation (FUNSALUD) as a new Editorial Board member. Felicia has worked on health economics issues in Latin America and brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise. We would also like to thank out-going board members Peter Poore, Viroj Tangcharoensathien and Christian Lengeler who have contributed so much of their wisdom over the past 5 years.
We continue to encourage researchers to submit articles or ideas for consideration on ‘10 best resources’ and we would also encourage the submission of commentaries or reviews on issues of particular contemporary interest or controversy, for example on evaluating health system performance or governance and accountability.
An online submission process was introduced in May 2007. This has streamlined the submission and review process. We continue to monitor the impact of this changed process on submissions from low-income settings where internet access may be more limited, and we encourage authors to let us know of any difficulties or concerns that they have.
In 2007 we also introduced a new optional open access model which allows authors to purchase the copyright to their paper at the time of acceptance. This has the potential to widen the readership of submissions and feed through into greater policy impact. We will report in due course on the uptake of this approach and any other effects it may have on the journal's influence.
Finally, we are pleased to announce the inauguration of the Health Policy and Planning annual lecture. Each year this will be given by a distinguished speaker on a topic of contemporary and wide interest in the field of public health and policy. The first speaker will be Professor David Nabarro, a former Dean of LSHTM, Representative of the Director General at WHO and currently UN System Senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza. The lecture will address the topic of contemporary threats to international health and will take place at LSHTM in February 2009.
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