On behalf of the Officers, Board of Directors, Committee Chairs and Staff of the American Society of Hypertension, Inc. (ASH), I am delighted to introduce the Journal of the American Society of Hypertension (JASH), a new official Journal of the Society. Of course, the overriding question when a new Journal is introduced is: “Do we really need another Journal — in this instance, in the field of hypertension?” The answer is a resounding and enthusiastic “Yes!”
The field of hypertension is undergoing great changes. What was once considered simply a matter of increased blood pressure has now emerged as a complex field that encompasses much of cardiovascular and renal pathobiology and physiology, metabolism, genetics, pharmacology, environmental, and ethnic issues. Most importantly, both basic and applied research provides the foundation and environment for hypertension research.
It is this interface between basic and applied research that represents the void that JASH wishes to fill. Why now? Precisely because valuable research has yielded data that has greatly expanded our understanding of the complex nature of hypertension. However, the expectation and promise of translation from basic to applied clinical research is a slowly evolving process. JASH intends to provide the forum whereby new findings in basic research in blood pressure, metabolic, and vascular function can be applied to clinically relevant issues and, ultimately, to clinical practice.
JASH is intended to complement the Journal of Clinical Hypertension (JCH) — also an official Journal of the Society — by focusing on fundamental and applied translational research in blood pressure, hypertension, and related metabolic, cardiovascular, vascular, cerebral, and renal factors and disorders. The explosion of new information transcending the traditional dichotomies of science demands such a forum.
JASH will be initially published by Elsevier on a bi-monthly basis featuring original research studies, hypotheses, state-of-the-art reviews, debates, editorials, and letters on pertinent topics. Investigators are invited — and encouraged — to submit manuscripts online (http://ees.elsevier.com/jash/). All submitted manuscripts will be subject to rigorous peer review, guided by an outstanding Editorial Board.
The publication of JASH, together with the JCH and the Annual Scientific Meeting, further provides the ASH with the appropriate tools to enhance and to maintain its position as the “voice of hypertension.” On this foundation, the Society will continue to work towards the goal of eliminating the tremendous burden of hypertension.
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