Next Journal of Health Systems

The Next Journal of Health Systems (NJHS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to advancing knowledge in health system design, performance, and reform. NJHS publishes original research, systematic reviews, policy analyses, and perspectives that examine how health systems can be strengthened to deliver equitable, efficient, and high-quality care worldwide.

Focus and Scope

NJHS welcomes submissions on health system governance, health financing and insurance mechanisms, service delivery models, human resources for health, health information systems, supply chain management, universal health coverage strategies, intersectoral action for health, and health system resilience. The journal particularly encourages comparative health systems research and implementation science studies that bridge research and policy.

Aims of the Journal

•       Publish rigorous, policy-relevant research on health system strengthening

•       Provide a platform for researchers and policymakers

•       Promote evidence-based approaches to achieving Universal Health Coverage

•       Bridge the gap between health systems research and real-world implementation

Article Types Considered for Publication

•       Original Research

•       Systematic Reviews & Meta-analyses

•       Policy Analysis

•       Perspectives & Commentaries

•       Case Studies

•       Letters to the Editor

Open Access Policy

NJHS is a fully open-access journal. All articles are freely available online immediately upon publication, without subscription or pay-per-view fees. Authors retain copyright of their work under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Peer Review Process

NJHS uses a single-anonymized peer-review process. All submitted manuscripts are first assessed by the editorial team for scope and quality. Manuscripts meeting minimum standards are assigned to at least two independent expert reviewers. The editorial board makes final decisions on acceptance, revision, or rejection. The typical time from submission to first editorial decision is 2 to 4 weeks.

Copyright Notice

Authors publishing in NJHS retain copyright to their work. Upon acceptance, authors grant NGHC Publications a non-exclusive license to publish and distribute the article. All published articles are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. Third parties may reuse published work, including for commercial purposes, as long as proper attribution is given.

Sponsorship Disclosure

NJHS is published by NGHC Publications, a division of Next Global Health Consulting Inc. (Canada). The journal does not accept commercial sponsorship that influences editorial content or decisions. Article Processing Charges (APCs) may apply to cover publication costs; waiver policies are available for authors from low-income countries. Details are available on the journal website. NJHS has no financial arrangement with any third party that could be perceived as a conflict of interest with editorial independence.

Privacy Statement

NGHC Publications is committed to protecting the privacy of authors, reviewers, and readers. Personal information collected during the submission and review process, including names, email addresses, and institutional affiliations, is used solely for the purposes of managing submissions and editorial correspondence. This information is not shared with third parties without consent, except as required by law. Reviewer identities are kept confidential throughout the peer review process. All data handling complies with applicable Canadian privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Digital Preservation & Archiving

NJHS is committed to the long-term preservation of its published content. The journal participates in digital preservation programs, including LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) and CLOCKSS (Controlled LOCKSS), to ensure permanent, secure, and free access to published articles in the event the journal ceases publication. Published articles are also deposited in relevant databases and maintained in the NGHC Publications digital repository.

Indexing

NJHS is submitted for indexing in major academic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science (ESCI), and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Authors are encouraged to check the journal website for the current indexing status.

Contact & Submission

Manuscripts should be submitted through the NGHC Publications online submission system. General inquiries may be directed to the editorial office at: eic@nghcpublications.com

Publisher: NGHC Publications, Next Global Health Consulting Inc., Canada

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Publication Frequency: Continuous publication; quarterly volume compilation

License: CC BY 4.0 — Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International