Volume
8: No. 1, January 2011
Suggested citation for this article: Morrison H,
Posner SF. Chronic Diseases in Canada and Preventing Chronic Disease
copublishing on health in Aboriginal populations. Prev Chronic Dis
2011;8(1):A02. http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/jan/10_0238.htm:A02. Accessed [date].
The January 2011 issue includes 6 papers that are copublished by Chronic
Diseases in Canada (CDIC) and Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD).
In this example of copublishing, each journal is the primary publisher of 3 of
the papers and secondary publisher of the other 3. Copublication is uncommon
among scientific journals; however, it does offer an opportunity for journals to
reach a broader readership with information about areas of common interest. The
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors identifies this model of
publishing as appropriate when 2 journals with different readerships are
publishing information about topics that may appeal to both.
The idea of copublishing a collection of articles was born of discussions between the 2
journals about how to improve quality, reach, and impact. Both journals have
similar missions of publishing research and best practices in public health in
the United States and Canada. The premise of copublishing is based on the
understanding that public health research and practice are global, crossing the
physical barriers of national borders. Public health professionals in Canada and
the United States face many of the same challenges in developing and
implementing programs to prevent and manage chronic diseases. Copublishing of
scientific papers helps demonstrate how public health is a global issue and allows both journals to reach a broader audience interested in
chronic disease prevention and control.
In March 2010, the opportunity to copublish became a reality when we
identified a set of papers on chronic disease prevention and control among
Canadian Aboriginal people.
Copublishing requires more coordination than when either journal publishes
independently. Editing styles, publication schedules, and multilingual
translations are just a few of the elements that need to be coordinated. We
appreciate the efforts of the staff of both journals in collaborating
effectively. This collection is translated into 3 common languages spoken in the
United States and Canada — French, Spanish, and English — reflecting our effort
to make the collection available to a broad range of researchers. The
authors are key partners in the copublishing effort; without their agreement,
this initiative would not have been possible.
The collection includes 4 original research papers as well as an editorial
by Malcolm King, PhD, scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research’s Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health and a member of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation (Ontario). Dr King’s career spans 30
years; he is responsible for advancing Aboriginal public health research in
Canada and has a clear understanding of the role of social determinants of
health in achieving overall health. It is an honor to have him pen the
editorial that preceded this collection. This special issue is also preceded by
our introduction, as editors in chief of the 2 journals. Two of the 4 original
research papers (Bruce et al and Riediger et al) are companion studies that involve a
Manitoba First Nation community. Bruce et al looked at obesity in this
population and the related comorbidities — dyslipidemia, hypertension, and
diabetes. The other 2 papers (Ng and Tjepkema) are national studies. Ng and
colleagues studied arthritis in the Canadian Aboriginal population, focusing on
the differences between Canada’s northern territories and the 10 provinces to
the south. Tjepkema compared mortality patterns and rates among the urban-dwelling Canadian Aboriginal
population and other urban residents.
These papers report data from Canadian Aboriginal people, but others have
reported similar findings among US American Indian/Alaska Native people. These
and other studies show a substantial burden of risk factors and chronic diseases
in these populations. The articles document the need for public health
interventions to address chronic disease prevention and management. Ng and
colleagues note regional differences in arthritis. This finding is an example of
the importance of recognizing that Aboriginal people are not a monolithic
population and that different groups will require different interventions.
Moving forward, development and evaluation of interventions are needed. As with
any other high-risk group, documenting the burden is insufficient. Action to
address the issues is where public health will improve the well-being of the
populations it serves.
This landmark copublishing effort is a first for both PCD and CDIC
and an innovation in the world of scholarly publication. With this effort, we
are able to reach a broader range of researchers. Our initiative
has the power to facilitate information sharing and discussion among researchers
in this field. We hope that the readership of both journals will find joint
publication useful and that it will be a model for further publishing efforts.
In addition to the scientific discussion, we are interested in feedback on copublishing.
Howard Morrison, PhD, Editor in Chief
Chronic Diseases in Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada
E-mail: CDIC-MCC@phac-aspc.gc.ca
Samuel F. Posner, PhD, Editor in Chief
Preventing Chronic Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
E-mail: SPosner@cdc.gov
