Social Science & Medicine

Social Science & Medicine provides an international and interdisciplinary forum for the dissemination of social science research on health. We publish original research articles (both empirical and theoretical), reviews, position papers and commentaries on health issues, to inform current research, policy and practice in all areas of common interest to social scientists, health practitioners, and policy makers. The journal publishes material relevant to any aspect of health from a wide range of social science disciplines (anthropology, economics, epidemiology, geography, policy, psychology, and sociology), and material relevant to the social sciences from any of the professions concerned with physical and mental health, health care, clinical practice, and health policy and organization. We encourage material which is of general interest to an international readership.

The journal publishes the following types of contribution:

1) Peer-reviewed original research articles and critical analytical reviews in any area of social science research relevant to health and healthcare. These papers may be up to 9000 words including abstract, tables, figures, references and (printed) appendices as well as the main text. Papers below this limit are preferred.

2) Systematic reviews and literature reviews of up to 15000 words including abstract, tables, figures, references and (printed) appendices as well as the main text.

3) The Health Psychology section of the journal will also consider short communications of between 2000 and 4000 words, where a brief, focused dissemination of topical research findings is warranted and the scope and design of the research is appropriate for a shorter report. Please note that other sections do not publish Short Communications.

4) Submitted or invited commentaries and responses debating, and published alongside, selected articles.

5) Special Issues bringing together collections of papers on a particular theme, and usually guest edited. If you wish to propose a Special Issue for consideration, please follow our proposal guidelines.

Please see our Guide for Authors for information on article submission.

The journal has also launched five partner journals that authors are welcome to submit to:

SSM - Population Health
SSM - Mental Health
SSM - Qualitative Research in Health
SSM - Health Systems
Wellbeing, Space & Society