Overview

The Social Determinants of Health (SDH) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research that advances understanding of the social, economic, environmental, commercial, and political factors influencing health and health equity across populations.

This journal affiliated to the Social Determinants of Health Research Center and in cooperation of Iranian Community Medicine Association (ICMA).

The journal serves as a multidisciplinary forum for researchers, clinicians, public health professionals, policy-makers, educators, and other stakeholders committed to improving population health through evidence-informed research and practice.

SDH publishes scientifically rigorous and ethically conducted research that contributes to reducing health inequalities and supports the development of effective public health policies and interventions at local, national, and global levels.

Mission

The mission of SDH is to advance scientific knowledge on the determinants of health by disseminating high-quality, peer-reviewed research that informs policy, strengthens health systems, and promotes health equity worldwide.

The journal aims to facilitate collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers to address complex public health challenges through interdisciplinary research and evidence-based solutions.

Vision

SDH aspires to become a leading international journal in the field of social determinants of health by publishing innovative, methodologically sound, and policy-relevant research that contributes to improving health outcomes and reducing avoidable health disparities across diverse populations.

What We Publish

The journal welcomes original contributions from a broad range of disciplines related to public health and population health. Manuscripts should address factors influencing health at the individual, community, organizational, national, or global level and demonstrate scientific rigor, ethical integrity, and relevance to health policy or practice.

SDH publishes the following article types:

  • Original Research Articles
  • Systematic Reviews
  • Narrative Reviews
  • Community Case Report
  • Case Report
  • Brief Report
  • Policy Note
  • Editorials
  • Letters to the Editor

Additional article categories may be considered at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.

Open Access

SDH is a fully open-access journal. All published articles are made freely and permanently available online immediately upon publication, allowing unrestricted access for readers worldwide.

The journal supports the broad dissemination of scientific knowledge and encourages the reuse of published work in accordance with its licensing policy.

International Scope

SDH welcomes submissions from authors worldwide and encourages research conducted in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries. The journal particularly values studies that address health equity, vulnerable populations, implementation of public health interventions, and evidence that informs decision-making across diverse health systems.

Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are made independently by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board based solely on the scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, ethical conduct, and relevance of submitted manuscripts. Editorial decisions are independent of the journal's owner, publisher, sponsors, or advertisers.

Commitment to Research Integrity

SDH is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, publication ethics, and editorial transparency. The journal expects authors, reviewers, and editors to adhere to internationally recognized ethical standards throughout the publication process.

Comprehensive policies on publication ethics, peer review, authorship, conflicts of interest, research involving humans or animals, data sharing, corrections, retractions, and editorial procedures are available in the Editorial Policies section of the journal website.

Audience

The journal serves a diverse international readership, including:

  • Public health researchers
  • Epidemiologists
  • Preventive medicine specialists
  • Clinicians
  • Health policy-makers
  • Health system managers
  • Social scientists
  • Environmental health researchers
  • Health economists
  • Behavioral scientists
  • Global health professionals
  • Non-governmental organizations
  • International agencies
  • Academic institutions
  • Graduate students and trainees

Why Publish in SDH?

Authors publishing in SDH benefit from:

  • Rigorous and constructive peer review
  • Transparent editorial processes
  • International editorial expertise
  • Immediate open-access publication
  • Global visibility and accessibility
  • Permanent digital archiving
  • DOI assignment for all published articles
  • Ethical publishing practices aligned with international standards

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in published articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Board, publisher, or affiliated institutions. Responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of published work rests solely with the authors.