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Homage to our Editor Professor Oswaldo Paulo Forattini

EDITORIAL

Homage to our Editor Professor Oswaldo Paulo Forattini

Revista de Saúde Pública (Journal of Public Health) was created in 1967 by the Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo to replace the Arquivos da Faculdade de Higiene e Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo. The major modification implemented compared to the "Arquivos" was the choice of publishing original scientific articles produced by any investigator in the field of Public Health and not only by the school's faculty. The new periodical has been thus created with the expectation of achieving a nationwide scope and gradually earning worldwide recognition.1

The creation of Revista de Saúde Pública was an initiative by then the school dean, Professor Rodolfo dos Santos Mascarenhas, and Professor Oswaldo Paulo Forattini was invited to join the Editor's Board, taking up the position of Editor-in-chief of the Journal.1

In its first years, the Journal's was published twice a year. In 1971, reflecting the increasing scientific production in the field, it became a quarterly journal and, from 1981 on, a bimonthly publication, despite the exponential growth in manuscript submissions seen in the latest decade.2

Throughout almost forty years, Revista de Saúde Pública became a reference to Brazilian public health, gaining nationwide as well as worldwide reputation and accounts for two-thirds of the total Brazilian production of papers on public health indexed in ISI (Institute for Scientific Information) database.4

During its existence, the Journal's format has been through several changes in an attempt to adjust to the latest international trends.5 Its editorial line has been concerned in prioritizing the publication of original articles with innovative potential of general interest to a wide audience and which can contribute for improving the effectiveness of public health policies. Hence, its purpose is to bring out "ideas that evoke reflection and promote fruitful discussions for the advancement in several areas of knowledge" in the field of Public Health, as distinctly emphasized by Professor Forattini in the 30-year anniversary commemorative editorial of Revista de Saúde Pública.3

Making the Journal's available in the electronic format in SciELO has provided free access to high-quality scientific production to researchers in Brazil and throughout Latin America and, by connecting to PubMed, to researchers worldwide. The recently offered option for authors to publish electronically their articles also in the English language will positively be reflected in the rates of citation of Brazilian scientific articles in Public Health.

Behind all these changes and modernizations and the prestige gained by the Journal there has been always the prominent figure of Oswaldo Paulo Forattini, its Scientific Editor and eternal inspirer. Exceptional researcher, indefatigable worker, author of articles and memorable books and a most brilliant thinker, Professor Forattini has put all his experience and brilliance at the service of Revista de Saúde Pública.

At present in 2005, as its 40-year anniversary approaches, Revista de Saúde Pública faces a new challenge: to keep its quality despite the absence of the one who has been its soul to date. Professor Forattini's illness and retirement from his functions as Scientific Editor have prompted adjustments in the Journal's organization and functioning. From now on, the Scientific Editorship has officially been taken by two Editor's Board members – an associate of the Faculdade de Saúde Pública and a representative of the Brazilian community of Public Health. Relying upon the collaboration of associated editors, the generous work of dozens of remarkable researchers involved in peer evaluation process and the valuable uniquely dedication of the Executive Board technical staff, the Journal will have the challenging mission of following its path of success achieved over the years through Professor Forattini's dedication, competence and clairvoyance.

To Professor Forattini, hence forth Honorary Editor of Revista de Saúde Pública, our admiration and affection.

Carlos Augusto Monteiro

Scientific Editor

Rita de Cássia Barradas Barata

Scientific Editor

REFERENCES

1. Forattini OP. Vigésimo aniversário da Revista de Saúde Pública [editorial]. Rev Saúde Pública 1986;20:409-10.

2. Forattini OP. A Revista de Saúde Pública em seu 25º aniversário [editorial]. Rev Saúde Pública 1991;25:1-2.

3. Forattini OP. Trinta anos [editorial]. Rev Saúde Pública 1996;30:1-2.

4. Guimarães R, Vianna CM. Ciências e tecnologia em saúde no Brasil: os outputs da pesquisa em saúde; tendências recentes. In: Anais da Conferência Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Saúde, Brasília, 1994. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 1994. p. 160-83.

5. Silva LJ. Revista de Saúde Pública: 30 anos de evolução. Rev Saúde Pública 1996;30:503-5.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    10 Oct 2005
  • Date of issue
    Aug 2005
Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo Avenida Dr. Arnaldo, 715, 01246-904 São Paulo SP Brazil, Tel./Fax: +55 11 3061-7985 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revsp@usp.br