Brazzaville, 10 February 2010 -- Since the first issue in 1998,  a magazine of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, has been published twice a year to present readers with the overall strategic approaches of the WHO Secretariat’s actions in support of Member States and the most significant achievements resulting from both these actions and the efforts of countries.

This month marks the debut of the first issue of the new African Health Monitor. The peer-reviewed magazine, to be issued as a quarterly, has been redesigned and revamped to make it more lively and contemporary.

“This magazine is a result of a collaborative effort, not only on the part of edi-tors and production personnel but also authors who generally work as a team, collaborating on a paper relating to their work”, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, wrote in the editorial of the maiden issue of the new Monitor.

The authoritative articles in the new Monitor are written by WHO technical staff and experts Region-wide, who contribute articles in English, French or Portuguese (abstracts are provided in all languages).

However, articles in future issues will be accepted from co-authors, including non-WHO experts in the Region and elsewhere who bring their specialized knowledge to bear on issues of significant concern in the Region.

One new feature of the new Monitor is the presentation of Communicable Diseases and Epidemiological Report of the WHO African Region. The report focuses a particular disease or public health event and epidemiological updates on selected priority diseases in the Region. Its aim is to provide information for action by technical partners and public health authorities.

The new magazine contains some features of the former Monitor such as focusing on keeping their teeming readers worldwide informed about recent developments and the evolution of activities in closing the knowledge gap in order to strengthen health systems and services and better deliver health to African populations.

Commending the publication to WHO staff and other readers worldwide, the Regional Director wrote in the editorial: “The African Health Monitor can only continue to serve its purpose by the active participation of the staff (by submit-ting or reviewing papers) and readers (by sending their comments). We hope you will find this magazine of direct practical use and interest.”

Health Monitor

For more information, please contact:

Dr Chis Zielenski
Tel: +47 241 39217
E-mail: zielinskic [at] afro.who.int

Samuel T. Ajibola 
Tel: + 47 241 39378
E-mail: ajibolas [at] afro.who.int