International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | Introduction of Mandatory “Highlights” Section for Articles

Following the Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Paul R. Ward’s  recent guidance and in line with the Editorial (see ref. below), International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601) will introduce a mandatory “Highlights” Section for all newly submitted manuscripts starting from 1 December 2025. 

The goal of the “Highlights” Section is to increase the discoverability, readability, and overall impact of published articles through search engines and among the wider scholarly community. This Section should provide a concise, easily accessible overview of the key contributions of the article. 

Please note:

• Highlights should not duplicate the Abstract;
• They should summarize the core messages of the article in a simplified form;
• Each subsection may include up to two bullet points;
• Special manuscript types (Editorial, Correction, Retraction, Expression of Concern, Book Review, Letter, etc.) are exempt from this requirement. 

Structure of “Highlights”:

• Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?
  • First bullet;
  • Second bullet.

• Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?
  • First bullet;
  • Second bullet.

• Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers and/or researchers in public health?
  • First bullet;
  • Second bullet.

For further background, please refer to the Editorial by the Editor-in-Chief: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/9/1376.

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to receiving your submissions.

IJERPH Editorial Office