The 21st century has witnessed a global paradigm shift toward preventive health, with an increasing emphasis on proactive measures to promote population health and well-being [1]. As the burden of chronic diseases continues to rise worldwide, the importance of effective public health interventions has become even more pronounced [2]. Recent developments in health technology, behavioral science, and policy research have opened up new possibilities for innovative preventive strategies [3]. These strategies not only focus on disease prevention but also aim to improve overall health by addressing social determinants and promoting healthy behaviors [4]. However, scaling up these interventions to benefit larger populations remains a significant challenge due to logistical, financial, and social barriers. [5] To explore this important area of research, JMIR Public Health and Surveillance is announcing a call for papers for the special issue “Preventive Strategies: Scaling Up Effective Public Health Interventions for Long-Term Population Health Benefits.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the significance of preventive health measures and robust public health systems. As societies worldwide grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic, an exploration of effective preventive strategies is not just timely but also critical. This special issue aims to provide a comprehensive view of the latest research on preventive strategies in public health and their scalability for long-term population health benefits. It seeks to foster a dialogue on the challenges and opportunities in scaling up interventions, thereby informing policy decisions, health strategies, and community-level initiatives.
This special issue aligns with the journal’s commitment to advancing knowledge in public health and disease prevention. It provides an opportunity to showcase cutting-edge research in preventive strategies, with an emphasis on scalability and long-term health benefits. By focusing on this topic, the journal invites contributions to continue the global discussion on improving health outcomes through evidence-based preventive measures, strengthening its role as a leading platform in the field of public health.
Research Focus Areas
We invite submissions on a variety of topics of interest for this collection, including but not limited to:
The impact of digital health interventions on chronic disease prevention
Scaling up mental health interventions in schools
Effectiveness of community-based lifestyle intervention programs
The role of vaccination in preventing infectious diseases
Health policy and legislation for tobacco and alcohol control
The potential of telemedicine in scaling up health interventions
Cost-effectiveness of preventive strategies in health care
Nutritional interventions for chronic disease prevention
The role of physical activity in preventive health
Social marketing strategies for health promotion
Preventive strategies in workplace for occupational health
Health literacy and its role in disease prevention
Environmental interventions for public health
Maternal and child health: preventive approaches
The impact of urban planning on public health
School-based interventions for adolescent health
The role of primary care in disease prevention
Health insurance policies and preventive care
The role of pharmacists in public health and prevention
Integrating mental health in primary care: preventive approaches
Preventive strategies in public health hold the key to reducing the global burden of disease and promoting overall population health. This special issue, focusing on scalable preventive strategies, offers a timely and significant contribution to the scientific literature. The aim is to stimulate further research and discussion, leading to the development and implementation of effective, scalable preventive strategies.
Submission Guidelines
All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process, and accepted articles will be published as part of the special issue titled “Scaling Up Effective Public Health Interventions for Long-term Population Health Benefits.”
Submission Deadline: December 31, 2024
Theme Issue Guest Editors
Dr. Roy Rillera Marzo
Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, Curtin University, Malaysia
Dr. Adnan Kisa
School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College, Oslo, Norway
Petra Heidler
University of Applied Sciences Krems, Austria
Submissions not reviewed or accepted for publication in this JMIR Public Health and Surveillance theme issue may be offered cascading peer review or transfer to other JMIR Publications journals, according to standard publisher policies. For example, some manuscripts may be better suited for the Online Journal of Public Health Informatics. Early-stage formative work that informs the design of future interventions or research may better fit the scope of JMIR Formative Research. Authors are encouraged to submit study protocols or grant proposals to JMIR Research Protocols before data acquisition to preregister the study (Registered Reports; subsequent acceptance in one of the JMIR Publications journals is then guaranteed).
Please direct questions regarding this theme issue to the editorial team at ed-support@jmir.org.
All articles submitted to this theme issue will be shared and published rapidly through the following mechanisms:
All peer-reviewed articles in this theme issue will be immediately and permanently made open access. This is the standard for all titles within the JMIR Publications portfolio.
Articles can be made immediately available via JMIR Preprints (with a DOI) if authors select the preprint option at submission to enable this service.
References
1. World Health Organization. Primary health care on the road to universal health coverage: 2019 monitoring report. 2019 URL: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/primary-health-care-road-universal-health-coverage-2019-monitoring-report?gclid=CjwKCAjw69moBhBgEiwAUFCx2CRt64GlQuM6IhHXsO-wKbVNmjO2pBx0UsxO0NFstSkxDjTfxRAdZBoCXgoQAvD_BwE [Accessed 2023-09-20]
2. GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators. Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2020;396(10258):1204-1222. [doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30925-9] Medline: 33069326]
3. Khoury MJ, Iademarco MF, Riley WT. Precision public health for the era of precision medicine. Am J Prev Med. 2016 Mar;50(3):398-401. [doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.08.031] [Medline: 26547538]
4. Marmot M, Bell R. Social determinants and non-communicable diseases: time for integrated action. BMJ. 2019 Jan 28;364:l251. [doi: 10.1136/bmj.l251] [Medline: 30692093]
5. Carey G, Malbon E, Carey N, Joyce A, Crammond B, Carey A. Systems science and systems thinking for public health: a systematic review of the field. BMJ Open. 2015 Dec 30;5(12):e009002. [doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009002] [Medline: 26719314]