IJCH Enters a New Era

T he International Journal of Circumpolar Health has undergone several major changes since its first appearance in 1972 under the name of Arctic Medical Research. As 2012 begins, it has undergone further change, particularly to keep pace with the changing publishing environment and technological advances. The journal is now an exclusively online journal, and has ceased the printing and mailing of paper copies to our individual and institutional subscribers. We have entered into an agreement with Co-Action Publishing, an Open Access publishing house based in Sweden, which will be undertaking all editing, production and promotion activities. The submission and peer review process is now automated and electronic. We firmly believe that our collaboration with Co-Action Publishing will facilitate rapid dissemination of articles. Dr. Tiina Ikäheimo, our outgoing Editor-in-Chief, bade us a fond farewell in her last Editorial in the December 2011 issue. The journal has prospered under her dedicated leadership. I shall have some large shoes [figuratively speaking] to fill. I am fully aware of the complexities of producing a scientific journal of high quality, and pledge to do my utmost to continue to improve our journal to advance and disseminate knowledge on circumpolar health, and provide the focal point of the extensive network of researchers, policymakers, service providers, and health care consumers across the circumpolar world.