Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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AJ
The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) is dedicated to the publication of original work in research, research methods, and program evaluation in the field of public health. The mission of the journal is to advance public health research, policy, practice, and education.
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Impact Factor
9.6
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Closed
ISSN
0090-0036
eISSN
1541-0048
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
Subscription-based access with pay-per-view options for individual articles, 24-hour issue access, and 24-hour full-content access; subscription pricing available by contacting the publisher.
Submission Instructions
American Journal of Public Health accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Research Articles
Cover Letter
A cover letter of no more than 150 words is required. The cover letter must indicate whether the article was commissioned and whether it responds to a call for papers.
Abstract
An abstract is required. The abstract must be 180 words. The abstract must be structured. The abstract must use the headings Objectives, Methods, Results, Conclusions, and Public Health Implications and include the date(s) and location(s) of the data used in the study.
Manuscript
The main text must not exceed 3500 words. The main text must use formal subheadings in separate sections for Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Public Health Implications. The manuscript must include a title and abstract.
References
No more than 35 references are allowed. References must follow AMA style, latest edition.
Figures & Tables
No more than 4 figures, images, and/or tables may be included. Tables and figures must be embedded at the end of the manuscript or uploaded as separate files.
Law And Ethics Research Articles
Cover Letter
A cover letter of no more than 150 words is required. The cover letter must indicate whether the article was commissioned and whether it responds to a call for papers.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. The abstract must be 180 words. The abstract must be structured. The abstract must use the headings Objectives, Methods, Results, Conclusions, and Public Health Implications, and must include the date(s) and location(s) of the data used in the study.
Manuscript
The main text must not exceed 3500 words. The main text must use formal subheadings with separate sections for Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Public Health Implications. The manuscript must include a title and abstract, and substantive notes and footnotes are not permitted.
References
No more than 35 references are allowed. References must follow AMA style, latest edition. References must be numbered in AMA style, including citations first appearing in tables or figures at the point of their first callout in the main text.
Figures & Tables
No more than 4 figures, images, and/or tables may be included. Tables and figures must be embedded at the end of the manuscript or uploaded as separate files. Figures and tables must be numbered sequentially, and only tables presenting data summarizing the main findings may be included in the manuscript.
Systematic Reviews With Meta Analysis
Cover Letter
Cover letter is required and must be no more than 150 words. Cover letter must indicate whether the article has been commissioned and whether it responds to a call for papers.
Abstract
Abstract is required. Structured abstract must be 600 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings Background, Objectives, Search Methods, Selection Criteria, Data Collection and Analysis, Main Results, Authors' Conclusions, and Public Health Implications, and it must provide the date(s) and location(s) of the data used.
Manuscript
Main text must not exceed 4000 words. Main text must use formal subheadings and separate sections. A plain word summary of up to 200 words must be provided.
References
No more than 60 references are allowed. References must follow AMA style, latest edition.
Figures & Tables
No more than 4 figures, images, and/or tables may be included. Very large tables must be provided in the supplementary file rather than the main manuscript.
Research Briefs
Cover Letter
A cover letter of no more than 150 words is required. The cover letter must indicate whether the article was commissioned and whether it responds to a call for papers.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. The abstract must be 180 words. The abstract must be structured. The abstract must use the headings Objectives, Methods, Results, Conclusions, and Public Health Implications, and include the date(s) and location(s) of the data used in the study.
Manuscript
The main text must not exceed 1200 words. The main text must use formal subheadings and separate sections for Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Public Health Implications.
References
No more than 12 references are allowed. References must follow AMA style, latest edition.
Figures & Tables
No more than 1 figure, image, and/or table may be included. Tables and figures must be embedded at the end of the manuscript or uploaded as separate files.
Photovoice
Cover Letter
Initial submission must include a cover letter of no more than 150 words. Cover letter must indicate whether the article was commissioned and whether it responds to a call for papers.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must be unstructured and limited to 180 words. Abstract must be unstructured and formatted in three paragraphs. Abstract must not use headings and must provide the date(s) and location(s) of the data used in the study.
Manuscript
Main text must not exceed 3300 words. Main text must use subheadings of the author's choice, and the results/discussion section must include a narrative for each image written in the participant's own voice or by a co-researcher reflecting their perspective and lived experience. Manuscript must explicitly state any use of artificial intelligence-generated images.
References
No more than 35 references are allowed. References must follow AMA style. References must be formatted in AMA style using the latest edition, with the article type also specifying the AMA Manual of Style, 10th Edition.
Figures & Tables
Submission must include 1 to 5 participant-generated images and no more than 2 demographic or contextual tables. Tables and figures may be embedded at the end of the manuscript or uploaded as separate files, but each image must be submitted as an individual file. Each image must have a caption with a descriptive title and explanation totaling up to 50 words, and alt-text descriptions must be submitted for the images.
Analytic Essays
Cover Letter
A cover letter of no more than 150 words is required. Cover letter must indicate whether the article was commissioned and whether it responds to a call for papers.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must be 180 words. Abstract must be unstructured and formatted in three paragraphs. Abstract must not use a Background heading and must provide the date(s) and location(s) of the data used, if applicable.
Manuscript
Main text must not exceed 4000 words. Main text must use subheadings of the author's choice.
References
No more than 40 references are allowed. References may be formatted in AMA style or Chicago style.
Figures & Tables
No more than 4 figures, images, and/or tables may be included. Tables and figures must be embedded at the end of the manuscript or uploaded as separate files.
Legal Analytic Essays
Cover Letter
A cover letter of no more than 150 words is required. Cover letter must indicate whether the article was commissioned and whether it responds to a call for papers.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must be 180 words. Abstract must be unstructured and formatted in three paragraphs. Abstract must not use headings and must provide the date(s) and location(s) of the data used, if applicable.
Manuscript
Main text must not exceed 4000 words. Main text must use subheadings of the author's choice.
References
No more than 40 references are allowed. References must follow AMA style, latest edition.
Figures & Tables
No more than 4 figures, images, and/or tables may be included. Tables and figures must be embedded at the end of the manuscript or uploaded as separate files. Substantive notes and footnotes are not permitted.
Ethics Analytic Essays
Cover Letter
A cover letter of no more than 150 words is required. The cover letter must indicate whether the article has been commissioned and whether it responds to a call for papers.
Abstract
An abstract is required. The abstract must be 180 words. The abstract must be unstructured and formatted in three paragraphs.
Manuscript
The main text must not exceed 4000 words. The main text must use subheadings of the author's choice.
References
No more than 40 references are allowed. References must follow AMA style, latest edition.
Figures & Tables
No more than 4 figures, images, and/or tables may be included. Tables and figures must be embedded at the end of the manuscript or uploaded as separate files.
Practice Evaluations (Formerly Notes From The Field)
Cover Letter
A cover letter of no more than 150 words is required. The cover letter must indicate whether the article was commissioned and whether it responds to a call for papers.
Abstract
An abstract is required. The abstract must be 80 words. The abstract must be unstructured and formatted as a single paragraph. The abstract must not use headings and must include the date(s) and location(s) of the data used.
Manuscript
The main text must not exceed 2000 words. The main text must use the formal subheadings Intervention and Implementation, Purpose, Evaluation Methods, Evaluation Findings, Interpretations, & Adverse Effects, Sustainability & Scalability, and Public Health Significance.
References
No more than 20 references are allowed. References must follow AMA style, latest edition.
Figures & Tables
No more than 2 figures, images, and/or tables may be included. Tables and figures must be embedded at the end of the manuscript or uploaded as separate files.
Letters To The Editor
Cover Letter
A cover letter of no more than 150 words is required. The cover letter must indicate whether the article has been commissioned and whether it responds to a call for papers.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must be up to 180 words, including headings. The abstract must be structured. The abstract must use 4-5 headings: Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions, with Policy Implications recommended as a fifth heading, and must not include a Background heading.
Manuscript
The main text must not exceed 400 words. Authors may format the manuscript as they please.
References
No more than 7 references are allowed. References must follow AMA style, latest edition.
Figures & Tables
No more than 1 figure, image, and/or table may be included. Figures and tables may be embedded at the end of the manuscript or uploaded as separate files.
Recent Publications
The Challenge of Trust in Public Health Institutions Among Communities of Color: Where Do We Go From Here?
Tasleem J. Padamsee, Johnnie Chip Allen
10.2105/ajph.2025.308334
View Publication
A Renewed Effort to Control and Eliminate Congenital Syphilis in the United States
Chrysovalantis Stafylis, Jeffrey D. Klausner
10.2105/ajph.2025.308316
View Publication
Stop Asking Communities to Trust You: Make Public Health Trustworthy
Chioma Nnaji, Lisa Bowleg
10.2105/ajph.2025.308336
View Publication
To Demonstrate Trustworthiness, Public Health Must Listen, Reflect, Act, and Revisit
Philip M. Alberti, Jennifer K. Bretsch, Debra Oto-Kent, Keyonna M. King
10.2105/ajph.2025.308329
View Publication
Restoring and Expanding Public Trust in Public Health
Denys T. Lau
10.2105/ajph.2025.308339
View Publication
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
A first triage is conducted by the Editor-in-Chief and the Senior Deputy Editor. Authors are given 48 hours to make specific reformatting changes after technical check.
Reformat to American Journal of Public Health using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
A cover letter is required for initial submission, with concise text of up to 150 words indicating whether the article has been commissioned, whether it responds to a call for papers, and any other information relevant for triaging. For individual or group randomized trials, the date of trial registration and NCT number should be provided in the cover letter only.
Reformat to American Journal of Public Health using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
Subscription-based access with pay-per-view options for individual articles, 24-hour issue access, and 24-hour full-content access; subscription pricing available by contacting the publisher.
Reformat to American Journal of Public Health using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Public Health Policies and Education
Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
Healthcare Policy and Management
Health disparities and outcomes
Smoking Behavior and Cessation
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
Primary Care and Health Outcomes
Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Homelessness and Social Issues
Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
Migration, Health and Trauma
Health Policy Implementation Science
Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
Diverse Scientific and Economic Studies
Global Maternal and Child Health
LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
Injury Epidemiology and Prevention
Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
Reproductive Health and Contraception
School Health and Nursing Education
Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment