Guidelines for contributors 1. Scope and editorial policy 1.1 Content The mission of the Bulletin of the World Health Organization is “to publish and

disseminate scientifically rigorous pub-lic health information of international significance that enables policy-makers, researchers and practitioners to be more effective; it aims to improve health, particularly among disadvantaged populations”. The Bulletin welcomes a variety of unsolicited manuscripts (see below, 1.1.1.). These are initially screened in house for originality, relevance to an international public health audience and scientific rigour. If they pass the initial screening, they are sent to peer reviewers whose opinions are taken into account by the journal’s editorial advis-ers when they decide whether to accept a manuscript for publication. Accepted papers are subject to editorial revision, which may involve substantive changes, shortening or restructuring the text and deleting superflu-ous tables and figures. The word limits given for each type of contribution do not include the abstract (where applicable), tables, boxes, figures and references or appendices, if any. The principal types of manuscripts are outlined below. 1.1.1. Unsolicited manuscripts We welcome unsolicited submissions to the Research, Systematic reviews, Policy & practice, Lessons from the field and Perspectives sections of the Bulletin. All manuscripts destined for the first four of these sections must include two paragraphs indicating what they add to the literature. The paragraphs should briefly explain: • what was already known about the topic concerned; • what new knowledge the manuscript contributes. Research Research, methodologically rigorous, of relevance to international public health. Formal scientific presentations having not more than 3000 words and (see below, 2.7); peer reviewed. As clear reporting is needed for readers and reviewers when judging the qual-ity of research, studies should comply with the relevant reporting guidelines, available on the EQUATOR Networ