The Next Wave

Abstract

In 2009, when I became Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Primary Prevention (JPP), the cover of the journal was redesigned to reflect the catalytic role of a drop of prevention in the pond of public health. To those of us in the field of prevention science, an old adage by Benjamin Franklin often comes to mind: ‘‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’’ This unofficial motto of prevention researchers and practitioners codifies the ripple effect that investing in prevention can have on a population’s health and wellbeing. Like such ripples, as the end of my tenure gives rise to the next wave of leadership, I am confident that JPP will continue to expand its reach in the field of prevention science. Being Editor-in-Chief of JPP has been an honor and a privilege, and I have been very grateful for the opportunity to guide the journal through several changes, both cosmetic and structural, during my tenure. In addition to receiving a new cover, the journal was expanded to accommodate more articles in each issue, with ample room to grow. The four article formats—original research, research methods and practice, brief reports, and literature reviews— were redefined and refined for greater clarity among authors and readers. I am proud to say that the journal received its first impact factor and that its stature has increased among prevention and public health journals: its impact factor increased from 1.090 to 1.542. JPP has also been successful at broadening its focus to include a wider range of public health topics while simultaneously maintaining a high threshold of scientific rigor for those studies accepted for publication. These accomplishments are due to the hard work and dedication of many people to whom I must express my deep gratitude. First, I thank the members of the Editorial Board who stayed on when I came on board. Many of them have served as reviewers for and advisors to the journal for a very long time, and their continued support of JPP is much appreciated. Many thanks go to Ken McLeroy for continuing as an Associate Editor and providing valuable advice throughout my tenure. I also need to acknowledge newer additions to the Editorial Board, Elizabeth Baumler and Scott Carvajal, as well as Jeff Temple, Associate Editor, whose various expertise has helped—and will continue to help—the journal grow. In particular, I want to thank Melissa Peskin, Associate Editor, who worked alongside me to guide the journal’s editorial direction. Her expertise and commitment have been invaluable to JPP. On a day-to-day basis, Dennis Li, Editorial Assistant, and more recently Lionel Santibanez, Copy Editor, were instrumental in every step of the peerreview and editorial process. Dennis is a doctoral candidate in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas School of Public Health and will make an excellent research scientist. S. R. Tortolero (&) University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA e-mail: Susan.Tortolero@uth.tmc.edu