About the journal
Spectrum in Public Health covers population-level research on prevention, health systems, equity and the determinants of health. It welcomes rigorous research from Africa and other world regions, with conclusions supported by the evidence or scholarly argument presented.
Aims and scope
Epidemiology; health promotion; environmental and occupational health; health services; maternal and child population health; implementation; health policy.
Individual clinical case reports, clinical treatment recommendations without population-health relevance and unregistered trials where registration is required are outside scope.
Accepted manuscript types and word limits
Choose the article type that fits your contribution. The following are Spectrum’s author requirements.
| Manuscript type | Main text maximum | Abstract maximum | Figures + tables maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Article | 8,000 | 300 | 8 |
| Systematic Review | 10,000 | 300 | 10 |
| Review | 10,000 | 300 | 10 |
| Brief Research Report | 3,000 | 200 | 4 |
| Methods | 6,000 | 250 | 8 |
| Policy Analysis | 3,000 | 200 | 4 |
Word limits include the main text and footnotes. They exclude the title page, abstract, references, figure legends, table contents, declarations and supplementary files. Supplementary material must support the paper rather than conceal essential methods or results. Use only the references needed to support the scholarship; no fixed reference-count limit applies.
Research Article
A complete original empirical, theoretical, archival or interpretive study. Use an introduction, relevant scholarship, methods or approach, findings or analysis, discussion and conclusion, adapted to the discipline.
Systematic Review
A reproducible synthesis with a research question, search dates and strategy, eligibility criteria, selection process, quality assessment, synthesis and limitations. Provide a flow diagram and reporting checklist where applicable.
Review
A critical synthesis of existing scholarship that explains its coverage and selection approach, evaluates evidence and identifies unresolved questions. Clearly separate published evidence from interpretation.
Brief Research Report
A concise original investigation with sufficient methods, findings and limitations for independent assessment. Negative and replication findings are welcome when methodologically sound.
Methods
A method, protocol or analytic approach with justification, step-by-step description, validation or worked evaluation, comparison with existing approaches and limitations.
Policy Analysis
An analysis of a defined policy problem, evidence base, options, trade-offs and implementation implications. Declare relevant advisory, political or commercial interests.
Manuscript preparation
- Language: submit in clear English; use either British or American spelling consistently.
- Title page: full title, author names, affiliations, corresponding author email and ORCID identifiers where available.
- Abstract: explain the question, approach, principal findings and conclusion within the type-specific limit. Do not include references. Research abstracts may use Background, Methods, Results and Conclusion headings.
- Keywords: provide 4–6 specific keywords.
- File format: use an editable DOCX manuscript. LaTeX submissions require source files and a compiled PDF. Number pages and lines.
- Structure: follow the selected article type. Define abbreviations at first use and use consistent units and terminology.
- Figures and tables: number in order, cite in the text, supply explanatory captions, provide editable tables and upload original high-resolution figures. Include accessible descriptions and rights permissions where needed.
- References: Use Vancouver numbered references. Check every citation against the source and provide persistent links where available.
- Cover letter: state the journal fit, article type, original contribution, prior dissemination and any related manuscripts.
Discipline-specific reporting
Use the reporting guideline appropriate to the design, such as STROBE, CONSORT or PRISMA. Include ethics, consent and applicable prospective trial registration. Report denominators, uncertainty, limitations and equitable treatment of communities.
Required declarations
- Author contributions and approval by every author.
- Funding sources and the role of funders.
- Financial and non-financial competing interests, or an explicit statement that none exist.
- Ethics approval or exemption and informed consent where applicable, including consent for identifiable publication.
- Data and code availability, including justified privacy or legal restrictions.
- Relevant study registration and reporting checklists.
- Material AI assistance, with human responsibility for accuracy and references.
- Permissions for third-party text, images and other protected material.
Do not submit the same manuscript to another journal concurrently. Declare preprints and related work. Editors may request supporting materials or clarification. Read the full publishing standards.
Editorial assessment and peer review
Manuscripts are assessed for scope, completeness, originality, research integrity and reporting quality. Research papers proceed to independent subject review, normally involving at least two qualified reviewers. Authors respond to comments and identify revisions. Editors make the acceptance decision independently of payments and sponsorship. Acceptance and decision times are not guaranteed.
Read the peer-review process →
Open access, fees and waivers
The publishing policy provides for author-retained copyright and CC BY 4.0 licensing under the applicable publication agreement. Fee amounts, waiver arrangements and refund terms have not yet been published. Online payment is not active. No payment constitutes acceptance.
Copyright and licence policy · Fee information
Submission checklist
Confirm journal fit and article type; check word limits; prepare the cover letter, manuscript, figures and supplements; obtain all author approvals; complete declarations and permissions.
Manuscript preparation checklist →Use Submit manuscript to send a PDF and author details privately to this journal. Save the receipt after delivery.
Published articles
No published article records are available in this journal.