Are you researching healthcare access for vulnerable populations and looking for the right platform to share your findings? The Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved (JHCPU) stands as a vital academic space dedicated to disseminating research, analysis, and insights focused on improving health outcomes for low-income and medically underserved communities. If you’re asking, “Is The Program That Covers Health Care For The Poor” effective or what policies best support vulnerable groups, JHCPU offers a prominent stage for your work. This guide provides a comprehensive overview for authors aiming to contribute to this esteemed journal.
Understanding the Journal’s Scope and Mission
JHCPU is committed to publishing high-quality manuscripts that address the multifaceted challenges of healthcare for underserved populations. While its reach is global, the journal particularly focuses on North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa. The publication welcomes a diverse range of submissions, including original research papers, insightful commentaries, brief communications, field reports, and comprehensive literature reviews. The core mission revolves around advancing the understanding and practice of healthcare delivery to those most in need.
Preparing Your Manuscript for Submission: Key Guidelines
Submitting your manuscript to JHCPU requires careful preparation to align with their specific guidelines. Here’s a detailed checklist to ensure your submission is complete and professionally presented:
Navigating the Submission Website
The first step is to access the journal’s online submission portal via Scholar One/Manuscript Central at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/JHCPU. New users will need to register as authors, creating an account to manage their submissions. The website provides step-by-step instructions to guide you through the manuscript submission process.
Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter
A crucial component of your submission is the cover letter addressed to the editor. This letter should clearly state that your research has received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, if applicable. It’s also imperative to declare that the manuscript is not currently under consideration elsewhere, nor will it be during the JHCPU review process. Furthermore, the letter must confirm that all co-authors have made substantial contributions to the paper and have approved the submitted version.
Author Contact Information
Include a separate document listing all authors in the order they should appear on the title page. For each author, provide their degree abbreviations, titles, and complete contact details. This ensures clear communication and proper attribution throughout the review and publication process.
Abstract and Keywords: Highlighting Your Research
Your manuscript must include an abstract summarizing your research. Keep the abstract concise, not exceeding 150 words. For “Reports from the Field,” summaries are limited to 50 words. Crucially, retain the abstract and keywords in the blinded manuscript copy and also upload them into the Manuscript Central system as prompted. When selecting keywords, prioritize terms from the Medical Subject Headings (Index Medicus) to enhance discoverability.
Formatting and Writing Style: Clarity and Precision
JHCPU mandates specific formatting and style guidelines to maintain consistency and readability across publications. All documents should be submitted as Word files. The manuscript should be double-spaced throughout, avoiding proportional spacing and justified margins. For detailed guidance on grammar, style, and usage, refer to the JHCPU Grammar, Style, and Usage document available on their website. If abbreviations are used, provide a comprehensive list on the first page of your manuscript.
References: Accuracy and JHCPU Style
Accurate and properly formatted references are essential for academic rigor. In the text, cite references using Arabic numerals in superscript, without parentheses, numbered consecutively. A complete list of citations should be provided at the end of the text under the heading References. List all authors if there are three or fewer; for more than three, list the first three followed by “et al“. JHCPU adheres to Index Medicus/PubMed citation styles. Examples include:
Journal article:
- Zuckerman B, Frank DA, Hingson R, et al. Effects of maternal marijuana and cocaine use on fetal growth. N Engl J Med. 1989 Mar 23;320(12):762-8.
Chapter in Book:
- Morris JN. The last weeks of life: does hospice care make a difference? In: Mor V, Greer DS, Kastenbaum R, eds. The hospice experiment. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University, 1988.
Government report:
- National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 1989. (DHHS Pub. no. [PHS] 90-1232.) Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Public Health Service, 1990.
Published conference presentation:
- Hinman AR. Progress over the last decade. In: Proceedings of the 24th Immunization Conference, Orlando (FL), May 21-5, 1990:17-20. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control, 1990.
Unpublished conference presentation:
- McJamerson E, Pearson W Jr. The declining participation of African-American males in higher education: causes and consequences. Presented at: Mid-South Sociological Association Conference, Baton Rouge (LA), Oct 1989.
Material accepted for publication:
- Hall LE, Callender CO, Yeager CL, et al. Organ donation in blacks. Transpl Proc (In press.)
Other unpublished material: (Cite in text but not references) (B. Jones, personal communication)
JHCPU accepts internet URLs as supplementary information only. All references must cite the published source in the format detailed above. If a printed version is inaccessible, adapt the citation format providing as much information as possible (AUTHOR, TITLE, LOCATION, ORGANIZATION, YEAR, and URL). While reference management software can be helpful during writing, JHCPU prefers references to be converted to simple text before final submission. RefWorks is compatible with JHCPU citation style.
Types of Papers Published by JHCPU
JHCPU publishes various types of manuscripts, each with specific guidelines:
1. Original Papers
These are in-depth empirical research papers, health policy analyses, or evaluations of innovative healthcare programs, ranging from 2,501 to 10,000 words. While longer papers are considered, authors are encouraged to be concise and eliminate redundancy. Original papers should clearly state the problem, discuss past efforts, and highlight the manuscript’s novel contribution. Policy implications should be discussed where relevant. Structure research reports with sections like Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion (omit the heading for Introduction). Use clear section headings and subheadings with the specified formatting (Boldface and Italicized). Include acknowledgments and grant support under the Acknowledgments heading, followed by References.
2. Brief Communications
These are shorter versions of empirical research or policy papers, up to 2,500 words. The guidelines for cover letters, abstracts, keywords, tables, figures, permissions, submission, copyright, and proofs are the same as for Original Papers.
3. Literature Reviews
JHCPU welcomes scholarly literature reviews, especially systematic reviews, which are invaluable for understanding the existing research landscape on specific topics related to healthcare for vulnerable populations. Systematic reviews are preferred over narrative reviews and should address a focused question, involve comprehensive literature searches, use explicit inclusion/exclusion criteria, assess methodological quality, and synthesize results systematically. Authors submitting narrative reviews should justify their approach. JHCPU suggests databases such as Academic Search Premier, PubMed/MedLine, CCTR, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and others for literature searches.
4. Commentaries
Commentaries offer perspectives on timely or controversial issues grounded in scholarly literature, ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 words. Guidelines for cover letters, abstracts, keywords, permissions, submission, copyright, and proofs are consistent with other paper types.
5. Reports from the Field
This section features brief, descriptive papers (up to 2,000 words) on innovative programs, understudied public health issues, and efforts to translate research into policy and practice. Reports from the Field should contextualize the work with descriptive information about the population or program. While not structured as research papers with statistical analyses beyond descriptive statistics, they should maintain high standards of accuracy and timeliness. Instead of an abstract, include a concise summary (50 words max) and keywords.
6. Heroes and Great Ideas Columns
This column, since 2005, highlights individuals and initiatives that have successfully improved life in medically underserved communities. Submissions can include biographical accounts, essays, and narratives, ideally around 2,000 words. These are reviewed by the editorial staff and board.
7. ACU Columns
ACU Columns originate from the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved. Interested authors should contact the ACU Executive Director.
8. Book Reviews and Other Reviews
JHCPU publishes critical reviews (500-1,500 words) of books, reports, and educational materials relevant to healthcare for the poor and underserved. Reviews should assess the material’s contributions to the field, summarize key features, evaluate accuracy, readability, and suggest the target audience.
Tables and Figures: Enhancing Your Manuscript
Tables and figures should be used to present data clearly and effectively. Tables should be typed on separate pages with titles and consecutive Arabic numbering. Use tabs (not spaces) to format table columns or utilize Microsoft Word’s table formatting. Tables must be in black and white. Figures, including maps, diagrams, and graphs, must be sharp, detailed, and in black and white. Include actual data, including raw numbers for figures with percentages. Always cite sources for tables and figures. Avoid scanned figures as they are difficult to edit. Obtain written permission to use copyrighted figures or tables.
The Review and Publication Process
Upon submission, authors receive prompt notification. Manuscripts passing internal review are sent to at least two external experts for double-blind peer review. Reviewers provide feedback to the editor, who then communicates with the primary author. Accepted manuscripts become the journal’s property and are published after copyright transmittal forms are signed. Authors retain residual copyright to their words and data. JHCPU typically grants reprint requests with author permission and proper source credit. Primary authors receive galley proofs for review before publication and complimentary journal copies.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively prepare your manuscript for submission to the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, contributing valuable research to the critical field of healthcare for vulnerable populations and addressing vital questions like “is the program that covers health care for the poor” truly making a difference.
This guide aims to equip you with the necessary information to navigate the submission process successfully. We encourage you to visit the journal website for the most up-to-date guidelines and to consider JHCPU as the platform for your impactful research.
