The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) has announced a call for papers for its special October 2002 issue devoted to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This CAM issue, the first to be published by the American Public Health Association, is in recognition of the "significant funding challenges and meager outlets for publishing health research on CAM."
The deadline for all research submissions for the CAM special issue is February 1, 2002.
"Original unpublished research is urgently needed to advance understanding of CAM and its potential to further public health," said Vincent Silenzio, MD, MPH, in a letter announcing the call for papers. "Research addressing indigenous health systems, special populations, or underrepresented groups is especially encouraged," he added.
Dr. Silenzio's letter noted some parameters for submissions: "Papers that report the results of original quantitative or qualitative public health research are published as articles (up to 3,500 words, four tables/figures, and a structured abstract of 120 words). Preliminary or novel findings may be reported as briefs (up to 800 words, two tables/figures, no abstract)."
Interested parties are encouraged to view the "Instructions for Authors" section of AJPH's website (www.ajph.org/misc/ifora.shtml), which spells out in great detail everything a research needs to know about submitting an article for consideration to the special CAM issue.
APHA is the oldest, largest and most influential public health association in the world, with more than 50,000 members from over 50 occupations of public health. The association contains 25 sections and seven special primary interest groups, or SPIGs. One of those groups, the Alternative and Complementary Health Practices Special Interest Group, works to evaluate unconventional methods of care and disseminates the knowledge of validated practices and their potential contributions to health care. Among the group's members are Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, the former president of Bastyr University and a leading proponent of alternative medicine.
The AJPH describes itself as the "number one publication dedicated to original work in research, research methods, and program evaluation in the field of public health." Published papers that appear in AJPH undergo a rigorous peer review. The journal also published editorials and commentaries that serve as a forum for health policy.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine researchers have a rare opportunity to be published in this special CAM issue. Submitting an article and having it published will help ensure that the journal's readers, many of whom are health administrators, planners, educators and information specialists, are aware of the latest from the acupuncture and Oriental medicine research community, and the role of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in public health.
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