Updated version for Scholastica site (April 2026). Journal of Environmental Health, National Environmental Health Association.
Instructions for Authors Journal of Environmental Health
April 2026 Version
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION 1400 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 325 Denver, CO 80222
JEH Instructions for Authors
Contents
Introduction and Scope ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Are We the Right Journal for Your Manuscript? ....................................................................................................................... 4 Topic Areas Within Our Scope ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Article Types ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Open Access and Publication Fees ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Cover Letter .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Other Submission Requirements ................................................................................................................................................... 8 Summary Statement...................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Affirmation and Disclosure Statements .................................................................................................................................. 9 Policy on Disclosure of AI Use......................................................................................................................................................10 Manuscript Components and Formatting .................................................................................................................................12 Overview .........................................................................................................................................................................................12 Text ...................................................................................................................................................................................................13 Tables ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Figures .............................................................................................................................................................................................14 Photographs ................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 References and In-Text Citations............................................................................................................................................15 Supplemental Files ......................................................................................................................................................................18 Editorial Review ................................................................................................................................................................................19 Submission Requirements and Checklist..................................................................................................................................20 Contact .................................................................................................................................................................................................21
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Introduction and Scope The Journal of Environmental Health ( JEH ) advances the science and practice of environmental public health by publishing timely, relevant, and high-quality research and practical insights that inform decision- making, strengthen professional practice, and support a healthy environment for all. As the core publication of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), the JEH contributes to our mission to build, sustain, and empower an effective environmental health workforce. It serves as a trusted forum for disseminating evidence, elevating practice, and fostering thought leadership to protect communities and strengthen environmental health systems. Environmental health is both a science and a practice focused on preventing injury and illness and promoting well-being by identifying environmental hazards and limiting exposures across air, water, soil, food, and other settings. Environmental health
professionals apply this knowledge through investigation, assessment, policy development, education, and community engagement to reduce risks and improve population health. Reflecting this scope, the JEH prioritizes work that bridges research and application, with clear implications for practice, policy, and future study, supporting professionals who interpret evidence, implement interventions, and lead programs that safeguard environmental public health. We invite submissions from practitioners, researchers, educators, students, and policymakers that advance the knowledge of environmental health and its application. We encourage the submission of original research, applied and practice-based studies, systematic and narrative reviews, case studies, and reports on innovative programs, management strategies, and emerging issues. Commentaries, policy analyses, and other contributions that offer crucial insight into current challenges and solutions are also encouraged. All technical content undergoes peer review to ensure scientific integrity, relevance, and practical value for the environmental health community.
We are an open-access journal with no submission or publication fees.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Are We the Right Journal for Your Manuscript? We encourage submissions from practitioners, researchers, educators, students, and policymakers whose work advances environmental health knowledge and its application. Manuscripts are especially well-suited for the JEH when they: Address environmental public health topics relevant to practice, policy, management, education, or research Offer clear implications for environmental health practitioners and programs Present timely findings, emerging issues, or innovative strategies Bridge scientific evidence and real-world application The following guide is intended to help authors prepare manuscript submissions for the JEH . Failure to comply with these standards could result in your manuscript not being accepted for review. Authors wishing for more information about the submission process can contact our editorial staff at jeh@neha.org.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Topic Areas Within Our Scope We welcome submissions across a broad range of environmental public health topics, including but
not limited to: • Air Quality
• Institutions and Schools Health and Safety
• Body Art
• International
• Child Health
• Land Reuse
• Climate Health
• Management and Policy
• Data and Technology
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Drinking Water
• Onsite Wastewater
• Education and Training
• Pathogens and Outbreaks
• Emergency Preparedness
• Public Health and Safety
• Environmental Justice
• Recreational Water Safety and Swimming Pools
• Epidemiology
• Risk Assessment and Communication
• Food Safety
• Solid Waste
• General Environmental Health
• Sustainability
• Hazardous Materials
• Vector Control and Zoonoses
• Healthy Homes
• Water Quality
• Indoor Air Quality • Workforce Development This list is not exhaustive; related topics in environmental public health are also welcome.
All manuscripts should be submitted online via our submission site at www.jeh.neha.org/for-authors. Manuscripts submitted any other way will NOT be accepted, and authors will be directed to the online submission site.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Article Types The JEH publishes the following article types:
Feature: In-depth articles that present research findings, applied studies, program evaluations, or comprehensive analyses relevant to environmental health practice. Standard sections include Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References. Recommended manuscript length is 3,000 words (excludes Abstract and References). International Perspective: Feature article that highlights environmental health issues, practices, or innovations from outside the U.S., with relevance to a global audience. Standard sections include Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References. Recommended manuscript length is 3,000 words (excludes Abstract and References). Special Report: Focused article that addresses emerging issues, policy developments, workforce topics, or significant environmental health challenges. Special Reports discuss a relevant topic in- depth but does not report on a completed study or a formal research project. Recommended manuscript length is 3,000 words (excludes Abstract and References).
Guest Commentary : Invited or submitted opinion pieces that provide expert insight, analysis, or perspective on current issues in environmental public health. Guest Commentaries may rely less heavily on technical or formal research and tend more toward the expression of innovative ideas, opinions, or suggestions. The recommended manuscript length is 800–1,600 words, but no more than 3,000 words (excludes Abstract and References).
Open Access and Publication Fees The JEH is an open-access publication , providing free and immediate access to all published content to support the dissemination of environmental health knowledge and practice. The JEH does not charge fees for manuscript submission, peer review, or publication . There are no article processing charges (APCs) or page fees.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Cover Letter Cover letters should include the following components
Statement on the exclusive submission of the manuscript: We do not accept manuscripts that have been published previously, in print or electronic format, or are under consideration elsewhere. Title of the manuscript Type of submission: Feature, International Perspective, Special Report, or Guest Commentary Names and listing order of all authors : Include institution/department, academic degrees (master’s and higher), and professional credentials for all authors All individuals designated as authors should qualify for authorship: Each author should have participated sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for the content. Authorship credit should be based only on substantial contributions to 1) conception and design, or analysis and interpretation of data; 2) drafting of the article or revision critical to the intellectual content; and 3) final approval of the version to be published. Conditions 1, 2, and 3 must all be met. Participation solely in the acquisition of funding or the collection of data does not constitute authorship. General supervision of the research group is not sufficient for authorship. Further, AI tools may not be listed as authors. Corresponding author contact information : Include name, job title, degrees and credentials, institution/department, mailing address, and email address. Conflict of interest: Authors should indicate potential conflicts of interest, including financial interests relevant to the subject of the manuscript. Funding sources: If grants or funding supported your work, please include that information. Keywords: Submit up to 10 keywords that best describe your manuscript. These keywords will be used to support indexing, enhance discoverability, and assist in the selection of appropriate peer reviewers. Acknowledgments: Please include any other acknowledgments the authors feel are appropriate in recognizing individuals and entities that supported your work. Acknowledgments should recognize contributions that do not justify authorship, such as support by a departmental chair, technical help, editorial review of the manuscript, and financial and material support (specify the nature of the support).
Remember: The cover letter is the only submitted file that includes identifying author information.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Other Submission Requirements Summary Statement
We now require authors to submit a structured summary statement addressing the following: 1. What is already known about this topic: Aligns with the background provided in your abstract ( ≤ 100 words) 2. What is added by this article: Aligns with the results in your abstract ( ≤ 100 words) 3. What are the implications for the practice of environmental public health: Aligns with the conclusions of your article ( ≤ 100 words) The summary statement is submitted in the Metadata section of the online submission form. Your answers should clearly communicate the relevance and value of the work to practitioners. The summary statement should be short and succinct, and written in plain language. Below is a summary example: What is already known about this topic? Eight states, including Colorado, have legalized recreational marijuana use among persons aged ≥ 21 years. The association between marijuana use and occupational injury is of public health concern. What is added by this report? During 2014–2015, 14.6% of 10,169 Colorado adult workers reported using marijuana in the previous 30 days. The highest prevalences of current use were among young adults and men, and among adults working in the Accommodation and Food Services industry (30.1%) and Food Preparation and Serving occupation (32.2%). What are the implications for public health practice? By understanding the occupations and industries of workers who report recreational marijuana use, employers can develop appropriately targeted workplace marijuana policies and safety awareness campaigns.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2026 (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/author_guide.html).
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Affirmation and Disclosure Statements Authors will be asked to confirm a set of affirmation and disclosure statements in the online submission form. Conflicts of Interest
Authors are responsible for recognizing and disclosing any conflict of interest that could be perceived to bias their work, acknowledging all financial support and any other personal connections. Potential conflicts of interest must be explained in the cover letter. Authorship All authors have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, analysis, or interpretation of the work and meet the criteria for authorship. Originality The authors affirm that this work is original, has been reviewed critically by all coauthors, and has been approved by all authors for submission. Submission Exclusivity The authors confirm that this manuscript is not currently under consideration for publication elsewhere and has not been previously published in any form. Research Ethics The authors affirm that their manuscript complies with all applicable ethical standards, including institutional and international guidelines for research involving human participants and/or animals, where relevant. AI Tool Usage The authors declare whether any AI tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript, including but not limited to text generation, editing, analysis, or figure creation. The authors affirm that AI tools were not used to generate primary data for this work and that AI tools were not used to make final scientific or clinical interpretations without human oversight. See the following AI Policy for more information.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Policy on Disclosure of AI Use Policy Statement
The JEH requires full transparency regarding the use of AI tools in manuscript preparation. Authors must disclose whether and how AI tools were used. AI tools may not be listed as authors. Authors are fully responsible for all content. Scope of Disclosure Disclosure is required for AI use in:
Text generation or editing Literature summarization Data analysis or interpretation Figure or image creation Code generation
Reference or citation assistance Any other substantive contribution AI Usage Card Authors who disclose the use of AI tools in their work are required to complete the AI usage card. The set of five questions is located in the Metadata section of the online submission form. 1. If AI tools were used, indicate the type of software used, its version, and access date: 2. Purpose of AI tool use (check all that apply): Language editing/grammar improvement Drafting text Literature summarization Data analysis Data interpretation Figure/image generation References/in-text citations Other 3. Provide a brief narrative describing how the AI tool was used, including which sections or components of your work were affected (100-word maximum, see Example Disclosure below). 4. Extent of AI contribution to your manuscript: Minor assistance (e.g., editing, formatting) Moderate assistance (e.g., drafting sections, summarizing literature)
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Substantial 5. All AI-generated outputs were reviewed, edited, and verified by the author(s). Example Disclosure The authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI, GPT-4; accessed January 2026) to assist with language editing and drafting portions of the manuscript. All outputs were reviewed and verified by the authors. Editorial Considerations Undisclosed use of AI may result in rejection. Additional information may be requested. Responsibility Authors are responsible for accuracy, citations, and ethical compliance.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Manuscript Components and Formatting Overview Length and Abstract Recommended manuscript length: 3,000 words (excludes Abstract and References) Abstract: ≤ 250 words General Manuscript Elements Title Article type Abstract Keywords Summary statement Conflict of interest disclosure AI usage disclosure and AI usage card (see AI Policy section) Author listing Cover letter (see Instructions for Authors for required components)
Acknowledgments (if applicable, include in cover letter) Funding statement (if applicable, include in cover letter)
Primary manuscript file, including references Tables, figures, and/or photos (if applicable) Figure titles and footnotes (if applicable) Photo captions and credits (if applicable) Supplementary files (if applicable) Organization Manuscripts should follow a logical structure appropriate to the article type. Authors are encouraged to clearly articulate practical implications throughout the manuscript. Style and Formatting Follow the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th Edition (https://apastyle.apa.org)
Use clear, concise, and accessible language Define technical terms and minimize jargon Ensure all references are accurate and properly cited
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Text Double-spaced type with 1-inch margins in Microsoft Word. Font: 12-point Times New Roman. Please use this font for all material in the paper, including titles and headings. If the paper contains subheadings, they can be distinguished with bolding ; sub-subheads should be distinguished with italics . Short, succinct titles aid reader comprehension and are strongly recommended. Technical (Feature or International Perspective) manuscripts should be divided into standard sections designated as Abstract ( ≤ 250 words), Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References. Pages must be numbered consecutively beginning with the title page. We do not accept the use of notes and footnotes. All notes and footnotes should be deleted or incorporated into the body of the manuscript. Field coding is also not acceptable. All field coding must be removed prior to submission. Mathematics and statistics: o All non-Greek letters that are used as statistical symbols for algebraic variables should be italicized.
o Metric equivalents for all nonmetric units should be provided. o Abbreviate all metric and nonmetric units with numeric values.
Tables Each table should be:
Submitted as a separate file in Microsoft Word (not as a picture or embedded object within the text) or Excel, depending on the program in which it was created. For sample tables, see https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures/sample-tables Numbered consecutively in the order of their initial citation in the text. Referenced within the text. Example: Blood lead levels of ≥ 10 μ g/dL were identified in 26 children (Table 2). Constructed in the simplest format possible, in black and white, with 12-point Times New Roman font and with clear divisions between table cells. If the manuscript is accepted for publication, the tables will be reformatted by JEH graphic design staff. Labeled properly with every column, including subcolumns, having a heading.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Figures Each figure should be: Submitted as a separate file and not embedded or incorporated within the text of the manuscript. Numbered consecutively in the order of their initial citation in the text. Referenced within the text. Example : The number of aerial-application events was relatively constant from 1995 to 2000, but the number decreased in 2001 and 2002 (Figure 1). Digitally created in color with 9-point Arial font. Saved in one of the following acceptable image formats: XLS (if the original document for the figure was created in Excel) PDF (created from the original software and saved at press quality, with all fonts embedded) JPEG, JPG, PNG (if the figure is an image file, should be a high-resolution image at ≥ 300 ppi) Unacceptable image formats: BMP, GIFs, Word files, and PowerPoint files Written permission for use of previously published figures should be included with the manuscript. Figure titles and footnotes should not be included in the figure files but should be submitted in a separate Word document. Photographs Each photo should be: Submitted as high-resolution JPEGs or PNGs ( ≥ 300 ppi) in color Numbered consecutively in the order of their initial citation in the text. Referenced within the text Subjects should be large enough in proportion to the rest of the photograph to be visible when the photograph is reduced for publication. Written permission for use of previously published photographs should be included with the manuscript. Photo captions and credits should be submitted in a separate Word document. Authors are asked to limit the number of submitted tables, figures, and/or photo files to no more than eight total.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
References and In-Text Citations Manuscripts will not be accepted for publication if the references are not formatted according to the 7th editions of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) . More specifics about APA style can be found at https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar- guidelines/references/examples. General We use the author-date system for citations. In general, the list of references at the end of the article should follow the citation style of APA. References with up to 20 authors list all names. For references with 21 or more authors, include the first 19 author names, then an ellipsis (. . .), plus the final author name. See the APA guideline (https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/more-than-20-authors) for additional information and an example. Please note the following: Do not insert spaces between initials in authors’ names. Example: Horstman, S.W. (not Horstman, S. W.) Do not abbreviate the title of any serial publication, not even a government publication. Example: Federal Register (not Fed. Reg.) All references should be current, readily searchable, and published or in publication. Personal communications or unpublished materials are not recommended as references. The references list at the end of your article should be alphabetized according to the first author’s last name. Do not number the references. If it exists, include DOIs for all references. Common Reference Types Article in a journal paginated by issue (page numbers continue from issue to issue) Example: Orloff, K., Hewitt, D., Metcalf, S., Kathman, S., Lewin, M., & Turner, W. (2001). Dioxin exposure in a residential community. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology , 11 , 352–358. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500175 Article in a journal paginated by issue (page numbers start over in each issue) Example: Siegmann, R., & Sattler, K. (1999). Identification of carcinogens in cooking oil fumes. Environmental Research , 80 (1), 18–22. https://doi.org/10.1006/enrs.1998.3876 Article in an edited book Example: Langford, I.H., Marris, C., & O’Riordan, T. (1999). Public reactions to risk: Social structures, images of science, and the role of trust. In P. Bennet & K. Calman (Eds.), Risk communication and public health , (pp. 33-50). Oxford University Press.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Federal regulation
Example: Radionuclides Rule, 40 C.F.R. § 9, 141, and 142 (2000). This format the standard in APA style. Note that it identifies regulations by title rather than author. Nevertheless, we recognize that sometimes the author of a given regulation is important to include. If you wish to identify the author, the following deviation from APA style is permitted: Example: Radionuclides Rule (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), 40 C.F.R. § 9, 141, and 142 (2000). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is the author of this regulation, is given in parentheses after the title of the regulation. Please note that it is still important to provide the title of the regulation. In text, the regulation should be cited by title, as follows: (Radionuclides Rule, 2000). Non-English language source: Cite the English translations of the author and title, with the source’s original language noted in brackets. Example: Ministry of Public Health. (2018.) 2nd national survey of risk factors for noncommunicable disease [Website in Spanish]. https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-salud- publica/comunicacion/publicaciones/2da-encuesta-nacional-de-factores-de-riesgo-de- enfermedades-no Electronic references The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual provides extensive instructions on formatting electronic references. Example: Minnesota Department of Health. (2001). Minnesota blood lead surveillance data, 1999–2000 . www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/lead/reports/surveillane/data1999_2000.pdf Keep the following principles in mind when citing electronic sources: Every citation to a web source should provide a date of publication. In the rare cases when no date of publication can be found on a website, you can indicate that circumstance with the letters “n.d.” Example: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Best management practices . http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/pollbestmanagementpractices.html Include as many details as possible in references to electronic or Internet sources (e.g., always include document or report numbers and authors’ names, when available).
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Example: Washington State Department of Ecology. (1998). Chemical testing methods for designating dangerous waste (Publication No. 97-407). http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/97407.html Retrieval dates (i.e., the date in which you accessed the material) are no longer necessary to include in references. Include a retrieval date if the contents of the page are designed to change over time and the page itself is not archived. In-Text Citations Citing the work of others in your text is done by providing appropriate in-text callouts (i.e., author- date information) in parentheses. Please note that each entry in the reference list must be cited in the text, and that each citation should have an entry in the reference list. Example: The study showed a positive correlation (Tinker et al., 1999), suggesting that poor indoor air quality was associated with increased asthma rates. Basic In-Text Citation Styles Author type Parenthetical Citation Narrative Citation One author (Ross, 2026) Ross (2026) Two authors (Ross & Williams, 2026) Ross and Williams (2026) Three or more authors (Ross et al., 2026) Ross et al. (2026) Group author with abbreviation First citation
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2024)
Subsequent citations
(CDC, 2024)
CDC (2024)
Group author without abbreviation
(Stanford University, 2021)
Stanford University (2021)
Please also note that when multiple sources are cited within one set of parentheses, those sources should be arranged alphabetically by the first author’s last name. Example: (Kramer & Kramer, 2024; Tinker et al., 2022).
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Supplemental Files Supplemental files (or appendices) contain information that supplements the text but would be distracting or inappropriate to include in the text itself. They provide readers with more information about your study or topic. Supplemental files are not required. The number of supplemental files in an article will vary depending on the needs of the work. These files often consist of text, tables, or figures, or a combination of these items. Many kinds of materials are suitable. Supplemental files are not peer reviewed. Further, these files are not edited or formatted. If the manuscript is accepted, any supplemental files will be included on the indexing page of the article. For more information about supplemental files, visit:
https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar- guidelines/paper-format/appendices.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Editorial Review All technical content undergoes double-blind peer review , in which both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to one another. This process ensures an objective and impartial evaluation of all submissions. Manuscripts are evaluated based on: Relevance to environmental health practice Quality and rigor of content
Clarity and organization Contribution to the field
Editorial decisions may include acceptance, acceptance pending revision, revision, or rejection. Review Process Overview
The editors of the JEH initially review manuscripts for significance and relevance to the readership. Once judged significant and relevant, the manuscript is submitted for peer review by two peer reviewers. Peer reviewers are asked to critique manuscripts on the basis of the following criteria: basic accuracy and validity of facts presented, clarity and manner of presentation, appropriateness of methods and procedures, adequacy of discussion, logic and soundness of conclusion, extent and usefulness of references, and value to environmental health professionals. Both identities of the peer reviewers and authors are kept confidential. After the peer reviews are completed, if necessary, the manuscript is submitted for a final evaluation by one or more technical editors. Once a final publication decision is made, authors are informed of any pertinent review comments and recommendations and may be asked to revise the manuscript before it is accepted for publication. To preserve the integrity of our review process, we encourage all reviewers to be extremely candid in making their comments. If an author disagrees with the reviewer suggestions, we invite them to respond with their reasons, which we will consider respectfully. Reviews are generally completed within 1–3 months, and publication is scheduled for the earliest and most appropriate issue. Files of accepted manuscripts are formatted and copy edited by JEH staff. Once ready, copy proofs are sent to the corresponding author prior to publication for proof correction and assignment of copyright. The JEH reserves the right to edit for clarity, organization, style, or space.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Submission Requirements and Checklist All manuscripts must be submitted through our online submission system via Scholastica . Submit your manuscript: https://www.jeh.neha.org/for-authors Authors will be guided through the submission process, including uploading files, entering author information, and completing required disclosures. To support double-blind peer review , please ensure that all manuscript files, with the exception of the cover letter, do not contain identifying author information. A complete submission includes: Completed Metadata section in the online submission system (includes title, article type, abstract, keywords, summary statement, conflict of interest disclosure, AI usage disclosure, and AI usage card) Authors Cover letter Manuscript files (blinded) Required affirmations
Authors are responsible for ensuring submissions meet all requirements prior to submission. We reserve the right to reject or return for revision any incomplete submissions or submissions that do not follow our guidelines.
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JEH Instructions for Authors
Before You Submit Checklist Before submitting your manuscript, please confirm that: The manuscript fits the scope and audience of the JEH The manuscript is approximately 3,000 words (excluding abstract and references) The abstract is 250 words or fewer The required summary statement has been completed, with each section no more than 100 words The manuscript follows APA 7th edition style guidelines All identifying author information has been removed from the manuscript file (for double- blind review) All required sections and affirmations are included (conflicts of interest, funding, AI usage disclosure) Tables, figures, and/or photos are properly labeled and referenced in the text Table, figure, and photo files have been submitted in the proper format All references are accurate, complete, and properly cited in the text The manuscript has been carefully proofread for clarity, grammar, and completeness Contact For questions, please contact us at jeh@neha.org.
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