A deserving anniversary celebration

As the national discussion on the availability of affordable health care for all continues, it seems only fitting that the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved celebrates its twenty-fifth volume. Founded at Meharry Medical College as part of the Institute on Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, the journal sought to provide better communication for those working in areas without access to quality health care. Over the past quarter century, the journal has stayed ahead of the curve in providing quality research into problems facing poor communities, including inadequate access, inferior quality, and prohibitive cost. “Before there was a Mental Health Parity Act or an Affordable Care Act, there was the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. Before there was a Sullivan Commission focusing on the needs and strategies for enhancing diversity in the health professions, there was the Journal of  Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. And before there was the goal of eliminating disparities in health, there was the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved,” wrote Dr. David Satcher in a retrospective included in the first issue of the twenty-fifth volume. Dr. Satcher founded the Institute and the journal as president of Meharry Medical College. He later went on to serve as U.S. Surgeon General and Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He represents the beginning of an illustrious history that we have outlined in a historical timeline covering the journal’s history. This document shows the accomplishments of the journal since 1988. We have married that celebration of history with a podcast featuring current editor Virginia Brennan to discuss the current state of the journal and how it will continue its mission going forward. We also have a podcast with author William Ventres, who contributed an essay to the most recent issue. We want to congratulate all those involved in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved for reaching this milestone and wish them the best as they move into another quarter century of excellence. [audio http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/podcasts/21040404.mp3] Virginia Brennan podcast [audio http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/podcasts/20140408.mp3] William Ventres Podcast