In recent years, the academic community has been grappling with an alarming trend—the soaring costs of journal publications. This phenomenon has raised concerns among public health researchers, institutions, and policymakers, as it poses a significant threat to the principles of academic accessibility and the dissemination of knowledge.

Factors Driving the Cost Increase

1. Publisher Profit Margins: One of the primary drivers of the rising costs is the profit-oriented nature of many academic publishers. Large publishing houses often have substantial profit margins, as they wield significant control over prestigious journals. These publishers, in pursuit of profit, charge exorbitant subscription fees and article processing charges (APCs). The pressure to maintain profitability often comes at the expense of affordability for institutions and individuals.
2. Journal Prestige and Impact Factor: The academic community places great importance on publishing in prestigious or top public health journals with high impact factors. Publishers capitalize on this by increasing subscription fees for well-regarded journals, arguing that the associated costs of maintaining quality and reputation justify the high prices. As a result, institutions feel compelled to subscribe to these journals, further driving up the overall cost of academic publications.
3. Rising Production Costs: The advent of digital technology has streamlined the publishing process, but it has not necessarily reduced costs. Publishers argue that investments in online platforms, editorial services, and quality assurance contribute to the overall cost. Additionally, the demand for visually engaging articles with multimedia elements may further escalate production expenses.

Implications for the Academic Community

1. Financial Strain on Institutions: The escalating costs of journal subscriptions and APCs place a substantial financial burden on academic institutions. Libraries, already facing budget constraints, find it challenging to subscribe to a comprehensive range of journals, limiting researchers’ access to vital information. This financial strain can adversely affect research productivity and the ability of institutions to stay at the forefront of their respective fields.
2. Inequitable Access to Knowledge: The rising costs contribute to a growing divide in access to scholarly information. Smaller institutions and those in developing countries may struggle to afford subscriptions, exacerbating global disparities in academic resources. This lack of access stifles the potential for collaboration and the exchange of ideas on a global scale, hindering the progress of science and research.
3. Pressure on Researchers: Researchers face increasing pressure to publish in high-impact journals, often necessitating the payment of steep APCs. This pressure can compromise the integrity of research as scholars may prioritize publication venues based on prestige rather than the significance of their work. The pursuit of funding and career advancement further exacerbates this issue, leading to a skewed academic incentive structure.

Addressing the Issue

1. Open Access Initiatives: One potential solution is the promotion and expansion of open access initiatives. Open access journals make research freely available to the public, eliminating subscription fees. Governments, funding agencies, and institutions can incentivize researchers to publish in open access journals and support the establishment of more open access platforms.
2. Transparency and Accountability: Advocacy for increased transparency in the pricing models of academic publishers is essential. This can be achieved through greater disclosure of production costs, profit margins, and subscription fees. Institutions and researchers should actively question and negotiate with publishers to ensure fair and reasonable pricing.
3. Collaborative Publishing Platforms: Collaborative efforts among institutions and researchers to create alternative publishing platforms can help reduce dependency on traditional commercial publishers. By supporting and investing in community-driven initiatives, the academic community can take control of the dissemination of knowledge and mitigate the influence of profit-driven publishers.
4. Reassessing Evaluation Metrics: The academic community should reevaluate the emphasis placed on journal prestige and impact factor. Encouraging a more holistic approach to evaluating research, including considering the societal impact and relevance of publications, can reduce the pressure to publish in high-cost, high-impact journals.

List of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Indexed Public Health Journals Without Article Publication Charges

In this article, we have listed public health journals that publish accepted articles without charging publication fees. Access to such journals is crucial for promoting inclusivity and ensuring the widespread dissemination of research findings. The selected journals are indexed in reputable databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.

List of Public Health Journals without Publication Fees:

1. Rural And Remote Health:

• Focus: Emergency Medical Services
• Publisher: James Cook University
• Impact Factor: 1.759
• Journal Rank: 8576
• SJR (SCImago Journal Rank): 0.398
• Quartile: Q1

2. International Journal of Health Policy and Management:

• Focus: Leadership and Management
• Publisher: Kerman University of Medical Sciences
• ISSN: 23225939
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 5
• SNIP: 1.562
• SJR: 1.294
• Quartile: 1

3. Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association:

• Focus: Library and Information Sciences
• Publisher: Canadian Health Libraries Association
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 0.2
• SNIP: 0.039
• SJR: 0.159
• Quartile: 4

4. Malawi Medical Journal:

• Focus: Medicine (all)
• Publisher: Montfort Press
• Impact Factor: 0.875
• Journal Rank: 11290
• SJR: 0.43
• Quartile: Q2

5. Journal of Health Research:

• Focus: Health Policy
• Publisher: Emerald
• ISSN: 2586940X
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 0.6
• SNIP: 0.526
• SJR: 0.196
• Quartile: 4

6. Health Technology Assessment:

• Focus: Health Policy
• Publisher: National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment
• ISSN: 20464924
• Impact Factor: 4.014
• Journal Rank: 3033
• SJR: 1.426
• Quartile: Q1

7. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society:

• Focus: Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
• Publisher: Nepal Paediatric Society
• ISSN: 19907982
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 0.2
• SNIP: 0.146
• SJR: 0.13
• Quartile: 4

8. The Journal Of The Royal College Of Physicians Of Edinburgh:

• Focus: Education
• Publisher: Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 1.5
• SNIP: 0.874
• SJR: 0.275
• Quartile: 2

9. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences:

• Focus: Medicine (all)
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 1.7
• SNIP: 1.052
• SJR: 0.269
• Quartile: 2

10. International Journal Of Pediatrics And Adolescent Medicine:

• Focus: Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
• Publisher: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 0.7
• SNIP: 0.626
• SJR: 0.274
• Quartile: 3

11. Journal Of Biomedical Photonics And Engineering:

• Focus: Acoustics and Ultrasonics
• Publisher: Samara National Research University
• ISSN: 24112844
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 0.3
• SNIP: 0
• SJR: 0
• Quartile: 4

12. Ghana Medical Journal:

• Focus: Medicine (all)
• Publisher: Ghana Medical Association
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 0.9
• SNIP: 0.46
• SJR: 0.294
• Quartile: 3

13. Medicina:

• Focus: Medicine (all)
• Publisher: Universidade de Sao Paulo
• ISSN: 21767262
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 0.1
• SNIP: 0.081
• SJR: 0.104
• Quartile: 4

14. Integrative Medicine Research:

• Focus: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Impact Factor: 2.368
• Journal Rank: 6608
• SJR: 0.191
• Quartile: Q3

15. Journal Of Traditional And Complementary Medicine:

• Focus: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 8.4
• SNIP: 2.69
• SJR: 0.925
• Quartile: 1

16. World Journal Of Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• Focus: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health
• ISSN: 25892894
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: 0.4
• SNIP: 0.206
• SJR: 0.158
• Quartile: 4

17. Journal of Public Health Emergency:

• Focus: Emergency Public Health
• Publisher: [AME Publishing Company]
• ISSN: [25200054]
• Open Access: YES
• Citescore: [1.0]
• SNIP: [0]
• SJR: [0]
• Quartile: [Quartile]

This comprehensive list of public health journals without publication fees serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking open-access platforms for their work. By eliminating financial barriers, these journals contribute to the democratization of knowledge and facilitate the dissemination of research findings to a broader audience. Researchers are encouraged to explore these journals for their commitment to open access and scholarly excellence.

The post Full List of Reputable Public Health Journals Without Publication Fees first appeared on Public Health.