HA

Health Affairs

Health Affairs Publishing delivers rigorous, nonpartisan research and analysis to improve health and health care. For over 40 years, it has turned complex health policy research into clear insights that guide decision makers toward effective solutions. Health Affairs is described as one of the nation's most read and influential health policy journals.

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Subject Health Care Sciences & Services, Health Policy & Services
Impact Factor 8.1
Quartile Q1
Open Access Type Closed
ISSN 0278-2715
eISSN 0278-2715
Invitation Only No

Submission Instructions

Health Affairs accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.

Research Article

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and must be entered in the submission Comments field rather than uploaded as a separate document. The cover letter must disclose any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation.
Abstract An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 180 words.
Manuscript Research Articles must not exceed 3,250 words, including the abstract, main text, and endnotes or references but excluding exhibits, exhibit lists, and appendices. Research Articles must include sections for introduction, data/methods, results/findings, and discussion/conclusions. Any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of the manuscript.
References References must be presented as consecutively numbered endnotes in callout order, listing all authors or editors if there are up to six and the first six followed by "et al." if there are more than six.
Figures & Tables Research Articles may include up to 4 exhibits, including tables and figures. Tables must be included in the manuscript document at the end following the exhibit list, while figures must be uploaded as separate files and not included in the manuscript file. All exhibits must be editable, numbered consecutively, cited in the text by number with location callouts, and accompanied by a complete exhibit list at the end of the manuscript.
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Analysis

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and must be entered in the Comments field rather than uploaded as a separate document. The cover letter must disclose any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation.
Abstract An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 180 words.
Manuscript Analysis articles must be 3,000 to 5,000 words including the abstract, main text, and endnotes or references, but excluding exhibits, exhibit lists, and appendices. The manuscript file must include the abstract, main text, endnotes, tables, and an exhibit list, with endnotes used instead of footnotes. Any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must also be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of the manuscript.
References References must be presented as consecutively numbered endnotes in callout order, listing all authors or editors up to six and the first six followed by "et al." when there are more than six.
Figures & Tables Analysis articles may include up to 4 exhibits in total, including tables and figures. Tables must be included in the manuscript document at the end after the exhibit list, while figures must be submitted as separate files. Exhibits must be editable, numbered consecutively, cited by number in the text with callouts indicating approximate placement, and accompanied by a complete exhibit list.
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Review Article

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and must be entered in the Comments field during submission rather than uploaded as a separate document. The cover letter must disclose any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation.
Abstract An abstract is required. The abstract must not exceed 180 words.
Manuscript Review Articles must be 4,000 to 5,000 words, including the abstract, main text, and endnotes/references but excluding exhibits, exhibit lists, and appendices. Any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of the manuscript.
References References must be presented as consecutively numbered endnotes in order of citation, listing all authors or editors when there are six or fewer and the first six followed by "et al." when there are more than six.
Figures & Tables Review Articles are limited to four exhibits in the published article. Tables must be included in the manuscript document at the end following the exhibit list, while figures must be submitted as separate files. The manuscript must include a complete exhibit list, and all exhibits must be editable, numbered consecutively, cited in the text by number, and identified with callouts for approximate placement.
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Forefront

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and must be entered into the Comments field during submission rather than uploaded as a separate document. The cover letter must disclose any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation.
Abstract An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 180 words.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 5,000 words including the abstract, main text, and endnotes but excluding exhibits, the exhibit list, and supplemental materials. Manuscript must include the abstract, main text, endnotes, tables, and an exhibit list, with endnotes presented as one consecutively numbered section. Any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must also be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of the manuscript.
References References must be integrated into one section of consecutively numbered endnotes in callout order, listing all authors up to six or the first six followed by "et al." for more than six.
Figures & Tables Articles are limited to four exhibits in the published article. Tables must be included in the manuscript document at the end following the exhibit list, while figures must be submitted as separate files. Exhibits must be editable, numbered consecutively, cited by number in the text with location callouts, and accompanied by a complete exhibit list containing each exhibit's number, type, title, and notes including sources.
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Narrative Matters

Cover Letter Cover letter must be entered in the submission system comments field. Any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must be disclosed in the cover letter.
Abstract Abstract is not required for Narrative Matters submissions.
Manuscript Narrative Matters essays must be 2,000 to 3,000 words. Any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of the manuscript.
References References must be presented as consecutively numbered endnotes in order of citation, listing all authors when there are up to six and the first six followed by "et al." when there are more than six.
Figures & Tables Narrative Matters essays must not include exhibits.
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Datawatch

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and must be entered in the submission Comments field rather than uploaded as a separate document. The cover letter must disclose any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation.
Abstract An abstract is required. The abstract must not exceed 180 words.
Manuscript Datawatch articles must be 2,000 words, with the count including the abstract, main text, and endnotes/references but excluding exhibits, exhibit lists, and appendices. Any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must also be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of the manuscript.
References References must be presented as consecutively numbered endnotes in order of callout, listing all authors up to six and the first six followed by "et al." when there are more than six.
Figures & Tables Datawatch articles are limited to five exhibits in the published article. Tables must be included in the manuscript document at the end following the exhibit list, while figures must be uploaded as separate files. The manuscript must include a complete exhibit list, exhibits must be editable and numbered consecutively with text callouts, and each exhibit must include a clear title, dates and population or sample frame in the title, source footnotes, and explanatory notes when needed.
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Grantwatch

Cover Letter Cover letter is required and must be entered in the submission Comments field rather than uploaded as a separate document. Any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must be disclosed in the cover letter.
Abstract Abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 180 words.
Manuscript Manuscript must be 3,500 words, with the count including the abstract, main text, and endnotes/references but excluding exhibits, exhibit lists, and appendices. AI use to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must also be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of the manuscript.
References References must be presented as consecutively numbered endnotes in order of callout, listing all authors up to six and the first six followed by "et al." when there are more than six.
Figures & Tables Grantwatch articles may include up to 2 exhibits. Tables must be included in the manuscript document at the end following the exhibit list, while figures must be uploaded as separate files. Exhibits must be editable, numbered consecutively, cited in the text by number with callouts indicating approximate placement, and accompanied by a complete exhibit list at the end of the manuscript.
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Policy Insight

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and must be entered into the Comments field during submission rather than uploaded as a separate document. Any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must be disclosed in the cover letter.
Abstract An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 180 words.
Manuscript Policy Insight articles must be 4,000 to 5,000 words including the abstract, main text, and endnotes, but excluding exhibits, exhibit lists, and appendix material. The manuscript file must include the abstract, main text, endnotes, tables, and an exhibit list in one document, with endnotes used instead of footnotes. Any use of AI to generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must also be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of the manuscript.
References References must be integrated into consecutively numbered endnotes in callout order, listing all authors or editors if there are up to six and the first six followed by "et al." if there are more than six.
Figures & Tables Policy Insight articles may include up to 4 exhibits. Tables must be included in the manuscript document at the end following the exhibit list, while figures must be submitted as separate files. All exhibits must be editable, numbered consecutively, referred to in the text by number, and accompanied by an exhibit list containing the exhibit number, type, title, and any notes including sources.
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Letter To The Editor

Cover Letter Cover letter is required and must be entered into the Comments field during submission rather than uploaded as a separate document. Cover letter must disclose any use of AI to help generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation.
Abstract Abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 180 words.
Manuscript Letter to the editor must not exceed 300 words inclusive of body text and endnotes. Any use of AI to help generate content or images, write code, process data, or provide translation must also be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of the manuscript.
References References must be presented as consecutively numbered endnotes in callout order, listing all authors up to six and the first six followed by "et al." when there are more than six.
Figures & Tables Tables must be included in the manuscript document at the end following the exhibit list, while figures must be uploaded as separate files. The manuscript file must not include graphs, maps, or diagrams, and all exhibits must be editable, numbered consecutively, cited by number in the text, and accompanied by an exhibit list.
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Recent Publications

Corporate Consolidation And The Youth Mental Health Crisis: Evidence From Medicaid Managed Care In 2022

K. John McConnell, Sara Edelstein, Courtney Benjamin Wolk, Kelsey Watson, Katherine Courchaine, Stephan Lindner, Jane M. Zhu

10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01619
View Publication

Access To Community Pharmacies Associated With Reduced Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Use Of Prescription Drugs, 2010–19

Maitreyi Sahu, Tyler D. Wagner, Drew DeJarnatt, Haley Lescinsky, Meera Beauchamp, Sawyer W. Crosby, Kayla Taylor, Azalea Thomson, Maxwell S. Weil, Rachel Wittenauer, Laura Dwyer-Lindgren, Annie Haakenstad, Dima Mazen Qato, Andy Stergachis, Jonathan D. Campbell, Joseph L. Dieleman

10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01459
View Publication

Black Patients Underdiagnosed With Long COVID In The US Compared With White Patients

Zachary Butzin-Dozier, Yunwen Ji, Sarang Deshpande, A. Jerrod Anzalone, Lin-Chiun Wang, Eric Hurwitz, Manav Kumar, Rena C. Patel, Jing Sun, McKaylee Robertson, Andrew Mertens, Marlene Camacho-Rivera, John M. Colford, Alan E. Hubbard, Charisse Madlock-Brown

10.1377/hlthaff.2025.00179
View Publication

The South Had The Lowest Rates Of Hospice And Palliative Medicine–Certified Providers In The US, 2024

Brystana G. Kaufman, Rui Qu, Yurika Sakai, Dorian Ho, Cassandra Dictus, Jessica Ma

10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01485
View Publication

Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine: Uptake Was Rapid But Uneven, 2021–24

Arthur Robin Williams, Jialiang Hua, Mark Olfson, Hillary Samples, Stephen Crystal

10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01584
View Publication

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to publish?

Approved content proceeds through review, revision, approval, and copy editing and production. Publication timing is communicated after approval. The journal publishes monthly with several ahead-of-print articles each month.

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Is a cover letter required?

A cover letter may be submitted by entering it into the Comments field during submission. Uploaded cover letter documents are not accepted.

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