What is Health Progress?

Health Progress explores complex health care issues from a Catholic perspective. Published bimonthly, Health Progress looks at emerging challenges and offers both practical approaches and theological foundations for action.

What is the mission of Health Progress?

Health Progress is a forum for the exchange of ideas and information vital to the Catholic health ministry and integral to promoting a just U.S. health care system. Health Progress strives to influence society's debate on health care issues and explores opportunities to strengthen and transform the Catholic health ministry. The journal encourages examination of health care practices in light of Catholic values, especially human dignity, the common good, care of poor and vulnerable persons, and stewardship of resources.

Accordingly, Health Progress focuses on:

• Catholic identity, culture, and values integration
• Collaborative strategies
• Ethical issues
• Leadership development
• Long-term care and the continuum of care
• Reform of the U.S. health care system
• Sponsorship options and responsibilities
• Spiritual issues in the health care setting
• Theological issues
• The relationship between Catholic Church teaching and health care delivery

Who reads Health Progress?

The print version of the journal reaches more than 10,000 leaders in the Catholic health ministry. It also is available online at no charge. The journal's audience includes health care executives, managers, ethicists, religious sponsors, trustees, physicians, nurses, and others.

Who writes Health Progress articles?

Experts from a wide variety of Catholic-sponsored and other organizations address issues with which they have firsthand experience. For example, a system CEO might describe her organization's governance structure, an ethicist might write on the traits of an ethical leader, an attorney on corporate compliance, a consultant on forming integrated networks. Health Progress also interviews opinion leaders and executives to provide their insight on contemporary health care issues.

Health Progress authors are often recognized for their work. Articles are widely distributed. Health Progress provides reprints upon request to health professions programs and distributes articles to policy makers on Capitol Hill, the nation's bishops, and others. Authors also have the satisfaction of contributing to the essential body of professional knowledge that advances the Catholic health ministry.

The journal is included in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Catholic Periodicals Index.

What is the format?

Feature articles and analytical articles in each issue explore a variety of contemporary concerns. In many issues, a special section covers a current topic of particular importance. Regular columns are also included.

How do I write an article for Health Progress?

First, and most important, analyze the topic you want to cover. Be sure it is of vital importance to at least one segment of the journal's diverse audience. Keep in mind that the article need not be written directly for chief executives, but it must familiarize them with information they need to understand. The article should relate Catholic mission and values to the subject at hand.

Outlining the article may help you ensure that its ideas follow a logical progression. Before writing the article, you may consider discussing the topic with Health Progress editors or consulting past issues of Health Progress to determine if your topic id appropriate or has appeared recently.

Health Progress is published six times a year. Articles should be submitted four to six months in advance of anticipated publication. If a topic demands urgent attention, the editorial staff will work with you to ensure timely publication.

What writing style is appropriate?

Readers prefer concise articles that are substantiated, when appropriate, by research and documentation, including endnotes when references are lengthy. To encourage readers' interest and help them interpret information, include figures, tables, photos, or sidebar stories if possible. Provide the source of quotations, figures, and tables.

Your first paragraph should capture readers' attention by stating the article's premise clearly. Focus on writing in a readable, conversational style. If an idea can be expressed in two words, do not use five. For more lively prose, choose easily understood words and avoid overly complex sentences. Limit your use of the passive voice and "there is" constructions. As much as possible, use active verbs and eliminate forms of "to be" (e.g., "John often helps his coworkers," rather than "John is helpful").

Use subheads to help readers see where you introduce a new topic. Do not use a conclusion merely to summarize the article. Instead, use your conclusion to provide a new idea or bit of information or discuss implications for the future. Suggest a brief working title, which can be humorous or use a clever twist on words.

Feature article manuscripts should be approximately 1,500 to 3,000 words. The length may vary depending on the complexity of the topic. Columns are shorter?750 to 1,000 words.

How do I submit a manuscript?

You may submit your manuscript by mail or e-mail. If sending your manuscript by mail, include a double-spaced hard copy and an electronic disk copy with a cover letter. On a separate title sheet, write the article headline, and all bylines. Include the appropriate titles and affiliate organizations of all authors. Be sure to include all authors' addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Place endnotes on pages at the end of the text. Enclose photos of the authors (or send them once the manuscript had been accepted). Authors also must provide written permission to publish any tables, figures, and creative works, or text exceeding 100 words taken from another source.

When submitting your manuscript by e-mail, include a message that explains what you are submitting, and indicate your full name, position, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address. Provide the required information on all authors. If your article is accepted, the editorial staff will request photos and a transfer of copyright ownership to Health Progress.

What happens after I submit a manuscript?

Peer-review advisers review all manuscripts, a process that takes several weeks. Based on their reviews, the editorial staff then makes suggestions to the author for manuscript revisions or rejects the manuscript. After the manuscript is revised by the author, Health Progress editors accept the manuscript, edit it, and return it to the author for approval before publication. After publication, authors receive two copies of the issue containing their article. Published articles appear on the Catholic Health Association's website. Article reprints may be purchased (minimum order of 100 for black-and-white copies and minimum of 500 for color copies). Contact Donna Troy for reprints.

How do I contact Health Progress editors?